Matter Notes
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Mass is the amount of matter or “stuff” in a
certain object. The amount of space an object takes up is its volume. An inflated balloon has more
volume than a balloon that is not blown up because it takes up more space. Anything you can see,
touch, taste, or smell is matter. It can also include things that you can’t see like air and other gases.
How could you prove that air is matter? You could prove air is matter by blowing up a balloon. Air is
now taking up space inside of the balloon. If you put an inflated balloon on a triple beam balance, you
will find that it has a larger mass than a deflated balloon.
Light and heat are two examples of things that are not matter. Light does not take up space or have
mass. Could you fill up a balloon with light? The light passes through the balloon but it does not take up
space inside of the balloon. Emotions, thoughts, and ideas are more examples of things that are not
matter. They take up no space and do not have mass.
Use the information for the reading, to complete these questions:
1. What is a definition for matter? Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Anything
you can see, touch, taste, or smell is matter.
2. What is a definition for mass? Mass is the amount of matter or “stuff” in a certain object.
3. What is a definition for volume? The amount of space an object takes up is its volume.
4. Helium is an invisible gas, but it is a form of matter. How could you prove that it fits the definition
for matter? You could prove Helium is matter by blowing up a balloon with Helium gas. Then
attach it to a balance. It has mass and takes up space.
5. Beside each object, write M if it is matter or N if it is not matter.
_M___golf club
__N__light
__N__heat
_N___sound
__M__shoes
__M__water shampoo
_M___oxygen
__M__air
__M__helium
_N__shadow
__M__gold
__M__person