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Phases and Classification of Matter

Matter

  • Matter: anything that occupies space and has mass, and it is all around us.

  • Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter commonly found on earth

  • A fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars.

  • Plasma: a gaseous state of matter that contains appreciable numbers of electrically charged particles .

  • The presence of these charged particles imparts unique properties to plasmas that justify their classification as a state of matter distinct from gases.

  • In addition to stars, plasmas are found in some other high-temperature environments (both natural and man-made), such as lightning strikes, certain television screens, and specialized analytical instruments used to detect trace amounts of metals.

Classification of Matter

  • Depending on its properties, a given substance can be classified as a homogeneous mixture, a heterogeneous mixture, a compound, or an element.

  • Mixture: does not have constant properties and composition

    • Heterogeneous mixture: is not uniform throughout

    • Homogeneous mixture: is uniform throughout

  • Pure substances: have constant properties and composition

    • Element: elementary substances that other substances are made from; can’t be simplified chemically

    • Compound: substances made from elements; can be simplified chemically

Phases and Classification of Matter

Matter

  • Matter: anything that occupies space and has mass, and it is all around us.

  • Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter commonly found on earth

  • A fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars.

  • Plasma: a gaseous state of matter that contains appreciable numbers of electrically charged particles .

  • The presence of these charged particles imparts unique properties to plasmas that justify their classification as a state of matter distinct from gases.

  • In addition to stars, plasmas are found in some other high-temperature environments (both natural and man-made), such as lightning strikes, certain television screens, and specialized analytical instruments used to detect trace amounts of metals.

Classification of Matter

  • Depending on its properties, a given substance can be classified as a homogeneous mixture, a heterogeneous mixture, a compound, or an element.

  • Mixture: does not have constant properties and composition

    • Heterogeneous mixture: is not uniform throughout

    • Homogeneous mixture: is uniform throughout

  • Pure substances: have constant properties and composition

    • Element: elementary substances that other substances are made from; can’t be simplified chemically

    • Compound: substances made from elements; can be simplified chemically