What is matter?

the definition of matter is given by a simple and comprehensive phrase: it is everything that occupies a place (the same as volume) in space and has weight (a product of mass and gravity). Some examples of matter: tree, bacteria, virus, human being, air, water, table, vehicle, etc.

We could cite thousands of examples, as the matter it's pretty comprehensive. But is there anything that is not matter? Of course, yes, however, in this case, it is called energy, as in the following examples:

  • Light: called light energy;

  • Pressure: called pressure energy;

  • Sound: called sound energy;

  • Fire: association of thermal and light energy;

  • Electricity: called electrical energy;

  • Heat: termed thermal energy;

  • X-ray: a form of electromagnetic energy;

THE energy can be defined as a strength capable of producing action and movement. Thus, it is very simple to differentiate matter from energy, since one occupies space and has mass, and the other does not.

An important curiosity about the matter is that it can be called in two different ways: body and object.

Body: it is a part of the matter. Examples: wool yarn, broken glass, wind, tree trunk;

Object: it is a part of the matter which has a specific use. Examples: shirt, compressed air, pen, chair.

Mind Map: Matter

Mind Map: Matter

*To download the mind map in PDF, Click here!

Composition of matter

Generally speaking, all matter is formed by a basic structural unit, called atom, which has the following composition:

  • Core: composed of protons and neutrons;

  • protons: positively charged particles;

  • neutrons: uncharged particles;

  • Energy Levels: regions where the sublevels are located;

  • Energy sublevels: regions where the orbitals are;

  • Orbitals: regions where electrons are most likely to be found;

  • electrons: negatively charged particles.

When two or more atoms combine, they form molecules, which can form substances as well as single atoms.

physical states of matter

You physical states most common in which we can find the matter are:

  • Solid: state in which the particles (atoms or molecules), which form matter, present the highest level of organization;

Representation of the organization of particles in the solid state
Representation of the organization of particles in the solid state

  • Liquid: state in which the particles (atoms or molecules), which form matter, present a lower level of organization;

Representation of the organization of particles in the liquid state
Representation of the organization of particles in the liquid state

  • Gaseous: a state in which the particles (atoms or molecules), which form matter, have no organization.

Representation of the organization of particles in the gaseous state
Representation of the organization of particles in the gaseous state

General properties of matter

any and all matter, regardless of the chemical elements that form it, must have the properties specified below:

  • Elasticity: property that matter has in the solid state when it is subjected to an extreme elastic force, without its structures being broken. When this force ceases, matter returns to its original form;

  • Compressibility: when a portion of matter in the gaseous state is subjected to compression, it occupies a smaller volume;

Material being compressed into a cylinder
Material being compressed into a cylinder

  • Inertia: when matter is in motion, it tends to remain in motion. If it is at rest, the tendency is for it to remain at rest;

  • Divisibility: matter can be broken down into smaller portions;

  • Impenetrability: two subjects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.


By Me. Diogo Lopes Dias

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/quimica/o-que-e-materia.htm

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