What Is Matter in Science?
In science, matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (has volume). It is the substance that makes up all physical objects in the universe. Everything you can touch, see, or feel is made of matter.
Key Characteristics of Matter:
- Mass: The amount of matter in an object.
- Volume: The amount of space the matter occupies.
- States of Matter: Matter commonly exists in four states:
- Solid: Has a fixed shape and volume (e.g., ice, wood).
- Liquid: Has a fixed volume but takes the shape of its container (e.g., water, oil).
- Gas: Has neither fixed shape nor volume and expands to fill its container (e.g., air, steam).
- Plasma: An ionized state of matter found in stars and fluorescent lights.
Examples of Matter:
- Air
- Water
- Rocks
- Living organisms
- Metals
What Is Not Matter?
- Light (energy)
- Sound (energy)
- Heat (energy)
- Thoughts or emotions (non-physical)
In summary, matter is the "stuff" that makes up the physical world around us!
