Basic Concepts of Matter

Atom

• The smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or in combination with others.

• A large structure made up of multiple molecules.

• A type of chemical bond between two elements.

• A collection of cells that form living organisms.

Volume

• The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object, measured in cubic units (such as quarts or liters).

• The total surface area of a three-dimensional object.

• The weight of a substance in a given volume.

• The density of a material, calculated as mass divided by volume.

Solubility

• The ability of a substance to conduct electricity.

• The amount of a substance that will dissolve in a given amount of another substance.

• The temperature at which a substance melts.

• The process of a substance changing from a solid to a liquid.

Mass

• A measure of the amount of material it contains and causes it to weigh in a gravitational field.

• A measure of the volume of an object.

• A measure of the temperature of an object.

• A measure of the speed of an object.

Solid

• Possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid: neither gaseous nor liquid.

• Having a definite shape and volume, but can flow like a liquid.

• Existing in a state that is neither solid nor liquid, often taking the shape of its container.

• Consisting of particles that are far apart and move freely.

Matter

• A material substance that occupies space, has mass, and is composed mainly of atoms consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

• A type of energy that can be converted into mass.

• A concept in physics that describes the behavior of particles at high speeds.

• A form of liquid that has no fixed shape.

Heat

• A form of energy that causes substances to rise in temperature and undergo changes.

• A type of energy that only causes substances to freeze.

• A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.

• A process that only occurs in gases.

Density

• The mass of a substance per unit volume.

• The weight of a substance in air.

• The volume of a substance per unit mass.

• The temperature at which a substance melts.

Gas

• A solid substance that maintains a fixed shape and volume.

• A fluid (such as air) that has neither an independent shape nor volume, but tends to expand indefinitely.

• A liquid that has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container.

• A mixture of different gases that can be compressed into a smaller volume.

Freezing Point

• The temperature at which a liquid solidifies.

• The temperature at which a solid melts.

• The temperature at which a gas condenses.

• The temperature at which a liquid evaporates.