What’s the Matter? Vocabulary
Vocabulary Word
1. matter
Definition
Anything that has mass and takes up space
2. atom
The smallest particle of an element
3. element
A pure substance that cannot be broken down into any other substances;
made up of only one type of atom
4. molecule
Created when two or more atoms join together. A molecule can be made
up of two or more atoms of the same element (like Hydrogen gas = 2
atoms of Hydrogen) or two or more atoms of different elements joining
together (like water = 2 atoms of Hydrogen and 1 atom of Oxygen)
5. compound
Created when two or more atoms of different elements join together
*all compounds are molecules, but not all molecules are compounds
6. expand
To get larger in size, volume or quantity; when atoms gain heat energy,
they move faster and spread out
7. particles
A very small piece of a part, a tiny portion or speck
8. thermal energy
Heat energy; the motion of molecules in a substance
9. vibrate
A rapid, back and forth motion
10. solid
Particles are closely packed together and vibrate in place; has definite
shape and volume; when heat is added, a solid can become a liquid