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MATTER GLOSSARY

Naomi González Español 29 fichas

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1MATTERMatter is everything around us that has mass and takes up space. For example: rocks, living things, water or the air we breathe. Matter has general and specific properties. On the one hand, general properties are common to all matter, those properties are mass and volume, because all bodies have them. On the other hand, specific properties are different for each type of matter. For example, each type of matter has a particular colour, hardness, flexibility and density.
2MASSMass is the amount of matter in an object. For example, there is more matter in a table than in a pencil, so the table has more mass. However, mass is not always related to the size of the object. Besides, mass is measured in different types of scales: kilograms (kg) or grams (g).
3VOLUMEVolume is the amount of space that an object occupies. Solids and liquids have a fixed volume. Bigger objects have more volume than smaller objects, for example a football has more volume than a tennis ball. Besides, volume is measured in litres (l) or milliliters (ml). Cubic centimetres (cm3) can also be used to measure volume.
4DENSITYDensity refers to the concentration of matter in a particular volume. Objects of the same size can have different densities. For example, matter is more concentrated in a metal ball than in a wooden ball of the same size. This means that the metal ball has more mass in the same volume, so its density is higher. To calculate density of an object we need to know its mass and its volume. We calculate the density of an object by dividing its mass by its volume.
5SOLIDSMatter in solid state has a fixed volume and shape because their atoms are very close together and cannot move. Solids have specific properties. For example, solids can be elastic, flexible, fragile or strong.
6LIQUIDSMatter in liquid state has a fixed volume, but not a fixed shape. This is because their atoms are further apart than in solids, and can move more freely. As a result liquids can flow, but cannot be compressed. Liquids also have specific properties. For example liquids can be viscous or volatile.
7GASESGases do not have a fixed volume or shape. This is because their atoms are much further apart and can move more freely than the atoms. As a result, gases can flow and be compressed.
8PLASMAIs a state of matter similar to gas, but composed of ionized atoms, where electrons circulate freely. The plasma is electrically conductive. By heating a gas, plasma can be obtained. Examples of plasmatic matter: Northen Lights, flash of lightning or the Sun.
9PURE SUBSTANCESMatter that contain only one type of component which cannot be separated into other substances. For example: water, oxygen, salt, gold.
10MIXTURESMatter that contain two or more pure substances. For example: sea water (made up of water and salt). The mixtures can be heterogeneous mixtures, which the different components can be distinguished; or homogeneous mixtures (or solutions) which the different components cannot be distinguished.
11METHODS TO SEPARATE MIXTURESMost of the mixtures can be separated, and the kind of separation method depends on the kind of mixture it is. For example, some common separation methods are: filtration, evaporation, distillation or decantation.
12FILTRATIONA method used to separate solids from liquids or solids with different size particles, in heterogeneous mixtures. It is used a filter.
13EVAPORATIONA method used to separate solids from liquids in homogeneous mixtures. When the liquid evaporates, the solids remain. For example, this method is used to separate salt from sea water in salt evaporation ponds.
14DISTILLATIONIs used to separate liquids that have different boiling points in homogeneous mixtures. The mixture is heated until one of the liquids boils and turns to gas. This gas is condensed back into liquid form and collected.
15DECANTATIONIs used to separate substances of different density in heterogeneous mixtures. For example, a decanter can be used to separate a mixture of oil and water.
16PHYSICAL CHANGESCan be changes to the size, shape, fragmentation, movement or state of matter, but they do not produce new substances.
17FRAGMENTATIONFragmentation is the action or process of breaking something into small parts.
18MOVEMENTMovement is the state of changing something's position
19CHANGES OF STATEChange from one state to another (solid, liquid or gas). They are reversible changes. They are melting, vaporization, sublimation, condensation, solidification, reverse sublimation.
20MELTINGHappens when a solid turns into a liquid. For example, when a metal is heated in a foundry to make different objects.
21VAPORIZATIONoccurs when a liquid turns into a gas. It can happen by:
- Evaporation: This type of vaporization happens slowly and the liquid does not boil. For example, when clothes dry on a clothes line
- Boiling: This type of vaporization happens fast when a liquid reaches a certain temperature. For example, when water boils.
22SUBLIMATIONHappens when a solid turns into a gas. For example, in air fresheners.
23CONDENSATIONHappens when a gas turns into a liquid. For example, when vapour from a hot shower steams up the bathroom mirror.
24SOLIDIFICATIONA change of matter state that occurs when a liquid turns into a solid. For example, when water becomes ice cubes in the freezer
25REVERSE SUBLIMATIONHappens when a gas turns into a solid. For example, when frost forms on a car
26CHEMICAL REACTIONChemical changes happen when the original matter transforms into other new substances. These changes involve chemical reactions in which atoms react and group together differently.There are many types of chemical reactions, for example: oxidation, combustion and fermentation.
27OXIDATIONType of chemical reaction that happens when some metal substances, such as iron, combine with oxygen in the presence of water. As a result, rust is produced.
28COMBUSTIONType of chemical reaction that happens when objects or substances are burned. This type of reaction also needs oxygen and produces gases (usually carbon dioxide), light and heat. For example, burning Wood produces light, heat, smoke (with carbon dioxide) and ashes.
29FERMENTATIONType of chemical reaction that happens in some living things, such as yeast and bacteria. Some types of fermentation are used to produce yogurt, wine or bread.