Chemistry / Unit 1: Matter and Measurement
1.1 States and Properties of Matter
Notes
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. It exists in three common states.
- Solid: fixed shape and fixed volume. Particles are packed tightly and vibrate in place.
- Liquid: fixed volume but takes the shape of its container. Particles slide past each other.
- Gas: no fixed shape or volume; fills its container. Particles are far apart and move fast.
- A physical property can be observed without changing what the substance is: color, density, melting point, boiling point.
- An extensive property depends on the amount (mass, volume). An intensive property does not (density, boiling point).
Practice
Which state of matter has a fixed volume but no fixed shape?
A liquid keeps its volume but flows to take the shape of its container.
Which is an intensive property?
Density is the same for a small or large sample of a substance, so it does not depend on amount.
In which state are the particles farthest apart and moving fastest?
Gas particles are spread out and move quickly, which is why gases fill any container.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 1 test.