Subject: what is it, properties and examples

What is matter?

Matter is everything that occupies a space and has mass, shape, weight and volume, therefore it can be observed and measured. It also refers to the material, substance, or product from which a thing is made.

It is also a physical or corporeal element as opposed to something abstract or spiritual.

A subject is also a specific discipline, subject, or area of ​​knowledge in a curriculum. It can also be a topic or a topic that is covered.

Matter comes from the Latin mater , which means mother, the origin or source from which something comes.

Properties of matter

The properties of matter are classified into two main groups:

Physical properties of matter

They are the characteristics of matter that can be observed and measured without changing its state. Among these characteristics are:

Mass

It is the amount of matter, measured in kilograms (kg.).

Volume

It is the space occupied by matter, measured in liters (l) or cubic meters (m ³).

Inertia

It is the ability of matter to stay at rest or in motion.

Compressibility

It is the ability of matter to reduce its volume when subjected to pressure, while keeping other properties intact.

Elasticity

It is the property of matter to return to its original state after being compressed.

Divisibility

It is the property of matter to be divided into new parts.

Boiling point

It is the temperature at which matter boils.

Organoleptic properties

They are the characteristics of matter that can be perceived with the 5 senses: smell, color, taste, texture, sound.

See also:

• Properties of matter. Physical properties of matter. Mass.

Chemical properties of matter

These are the characteristics that matter adopts once it has undergone chemical reactions that modify its original properties. These are:

Reactivity

It is the property of matter to combine (or not) with other substances.

Chemical stability

It is the ability of matter to react on contact with water (H ₂ O) or oxygen (O).

Heat of combustion

It is the energy released by matter after going into complete combustion.

PH

It is the property of matter to yield or receive electrons, which determines its level of acidity or alkalinity.

Radioactivity

The ability of matter to remain stable. When matter is unstable it can release radioactive energy.

See also Chemical properties of matter

How is matter classified?

The subject is classified into two categories:

Pure substances

They are substances that maintain their composition even if they change their state. In turn, pure substances are subdivided into two groups:

Elements

They are pure substances with only one type of atom. They cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Examples of elements: oxygen (O) and carbon (C).

Compounds

They are pure substances with two elements or more, always present in fixed quantities. In this case, they can be decomposed by specific chemical processes to obtain the elements separately.

Examples of compounds: water (H ₂ O) subjected to electrolysis allows to obtain both hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

See also Substance.

Mixes

They are pure substances with two elements or more, present in variable proportions. The mixtures, in turn, are subclassified into:

Homogeneous mixtures

Its components cannot be easily distinguished. Also called solutions.

An example of a homogeneous mixture would be a tablespoon of salt dissolved in a glass of water.

Heterogeneous mixtures

The components of the mixture can be easily distinguished.

An example of heterogeneous mixing would be a handful of sand in a glass of water.

Examples of matter

Since matter is defined as everything that has mass and occupies a space, any organism, life form or inert object is an example of matter. In other words, these can be concrete examples of matter:

• A human being An animal A plant A stone The elements of the periodic table