Notes on matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass and is felt by senses is called matter. According to indian ancient philosphor, matter is the form of five basic elements (the Panchtatva) – air , earth ,fire , sky and water. Characteristics of particles of matter Made of tiny particles. Vacant spaces exist between particles. Particles are in continuous motion. Particles are held together by forces of attraction. States of Matter Basis of Classification of Types Based upon particle arrangement Based upon energy of particles Based upon distance between particles Five states of matter Solid Liquid Gas Plasma Bose-Einstein condensate (I) SOLID Fixed mass, volume and shape Inter-particle distances are least. Incompressible. High density and do not diffuse Inter particle forces of attraction are strongest. Constituent particles are very closely packed. (II) LIQUID Not fixed shape but fixed volume and mass. Inter particle distances are larger than solid. Almost incompressible. Density is lower than solids and can diffuse. Inter particle forces of attraction are weaker than solids . Constituent particles are less closely packed. (III) GAS Neither fixed shape nor fixed volume. Inter particle distances are largest. Highly compressible. Density is least and diffuse. Inter particle forces of attraction are weakest. Constituent particles are free to move about. (IV) PLASMA (NON-EVALUATIVE) A plasma is an ionized gas. A plasma is a very good conductor of electricity and is affected by magnetic fields. Plasma, like gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume. Ex. Ionized gas (v) BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE (non –evaluative) A BEC is a state of matter that can arise at very low temperatures. The scientists who worked with the Bose-Einstein condensate received a Nobel Prize for their work in 1995. The BEC is all about molecules that are really close to each other (even closer than atoms in a solid). Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Solids Solids have a definite shape and a definite volume because the particles are locked into place Solids do not flow easily because the particles cannot move/slide past one another Solids are not easily compressible because there is little free space between particles Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Liquids Liquids are not easily compressible and have a definite volume because there is little free space between particles. Liquids flow easily because the particles can move/slide past one another. Liquids flow easily because the particles can move/slide past one another. Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Gases Gases are easily compressible because there is a great deal of free space between particles Gases flow very easily because the particles randomly move past one another. Gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume because the particles can move past one another (non –evaluative) Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Plasmas Plasmas have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume because the particles can move past one another. Plasmas are easily compressible because there is a great deal of free space between particles. Plasmas are good conductors of electricity &are affected by magnetic fields because they are composed of lens. Microscopic Explanation for Properties of BEC Particles are less energetic than solids because Exist at very low temperature. Particles are literally indistinguishable because they are locked into same space . BEC shows super fluidity because Particles can flow without friction. Interchange in states of matter Water can exist in three states of matter – Solid, as ice, Liquid, as the familiar water, and Gas, as water vapour.

Anything that occupies space and has mass and is felt by senses is called matter. According to indian ancient philosphor, matter is the form of five basic elements (the Panchtatva) – air , earth ,fire , sky and water. Characteristics of particles of matter Made of tiny particles. Vacant spaces exist between particles. Particles are in continuous motion. Particles are held together by forces of attraction. States of Matter Basis of Classification of Types Based upon particle arrangement Based upon energy of particles Based upon distance between particles Five states of matter Solid Liquid Gas Plasma Bose-Einstein condensate (I) SOLID Fixed mass, volume and shape Inter-particle distances are least. Incompressible. High density and do not diffuse Inter particle forces of attraction are strongest. Constituent particles are very closely packed. (II) LIQUID Not fixed shape but fixed volume and mass. Inter particle distances are larger than solid. Almost incompressible. Density is lower than solids and can diffuse. Inter particle forces of attraction are weaker than solids . Constituent particles are less closely packed. (III) GAS Neither fixed shape nor fixed volume. Inter particle distances are largest. Highly compressible. Density is least and diffuse. Inter particle forces of attraction are weakest. Constituent particles are free to move about. (IV) PLASMA (NON-EVALUATIVE) A plasma is an ionized gas. A plasma is a very good conductor of electricity and is affected by magnetic fields. Plasma, like gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume. Ex. Ionized gas (v) BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE (non –evaluative) A BEC is a state of matter that can arise at very low temperatures. The scientists who worked with the Bose-Einstein condensate received a Nobel Prize for their work in 1995. The BEC is all about molecules that are really close to each other (even closer than atoms in a solid). Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Solids Solids have a definite shape and a definite volume because the particles are locked into place Solids do not flow easily because the particles cannot move/slide past one another Solids are not easily compressible because there is little free space between particles Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Liquids Liquids are not easily compressible and have a definite volume because there is little free space between particles. Liquids flow easily because the particles can move/slide past one another. Liquids flow easily because the particles can move/slide past one another. Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Gases Gases are easily compressible because there is a great deal of free space between particles Gases flow very easily because the particles randomly move past one another. Gases have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume because the particles can move past one another (non –evaluative) Microscopic Explanation for Properties of Plasmas Plasmas have an indefinite shape and an indefinite volume because the particles can move past one another. Plasmas are easily compressible because there is a great deal of free space between particles. Plasmas are good conductors of electricity &are affected by magnetic fields because they are composed of lens. Microscopic Explanation for Properties of BEC Particles are less energetic than solids because Exist at very low temperature. Particles are literally indistinguishable because they are locked into same space . BEC shows super fluidity because Particles can flow without friction. Interchange in states of matter Water can exist in three states of matter – Solid, as ice, Liquid, as the familiar water, and Gas, as water vapour.