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

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