Classifying
Matter
Ms. Grobsky
MATTER
NOT MATTER
UNSURE
What is Matter?
 Matter
is the stuff of which the universe is
composed
 It has two characteristics:


Mass
Occupies Space
 One
way to classify matter is based on
whether it’s a solid, liquid, or gas
Classifying Matter by Physical
State
 Matter
can be classified as solid, liquid, or
gas based on the characteristics it exhibits
 “Fixed”
means it keeps shape when
placed in a container
 “Indefinite” means it takes the shape of
the container
Solids

The particles in a solid are
packed close together and are
fixed in position



Though, they may vibrate
The close packing of the
particles results in solids being
incompressible
The inability of the particles to
move around results in solids
retaining their shape and
volume when placed in a new
container, and prevents the
solid from flowing
Types of Solids - Crystalline

Some solids have
their particles
arranged in an
orderly geometric
pattern


We call these
crystalline solids
Examples:



Salt
Diamonds
Sugar
Types of Solids - Amorphous

Some solids have
their particles
randomly distributed
without any longrange pattern


We call these
amorphous solids
Examples:



Plastic
Glass
Charcoal
Liquids



The particles in a liquid are
closely packed, but they
have some ability to move
around
The close packing results in
liquids being incompressible
The ability of the particles to
move allows liquids to take
the shape of their container
and to flow; however, they
don’t have enough freedom
to escape and expand to fill
the container
Gases



In the gas state, the
particles have
complete freedom
from each other
The particles are
constantly flying
around, bumping into
each other and the
container
In the gas state, there is
a lot of empty space
between the particles
(on average)
Characteristics of Gases


Because there is a lot of
empty space, the
particles can be
squeezed closer
together; therefore,
gases are compressible
Because the particles
are not held in close
contact and are
moving freely, gases
expand to fill and take
the shape of their
container, and will flow
Classification of Matter Via
Composition


Another way to classify matter is to examine
its composition
Composition includes:




Types of particles
Arrangement of particles
Attractions and attachments between the
particles
With this definition, matter can be broken
down into two general categories:


Pure substances
Mixtures
Pure Substances
 Defined
as matter whose composition does not
change from one sample to another
 Pure substances can be made of a single type of
atom or molecule
 Because the composition of a pure substance is
always the same, all samples have the same
characteristics
Classification of Pure
Substances - Elements
 Elements
are pure substances that cannot be
broken down into simpler substances by physical
means or chemical reactions
 Elements are composed of a single type of atom

Therefore, they are the basic building blocks of
matter
 Where

can we find a list of all the elements?
The Periodic Table!
 Each
element can be classified by a unique set of
physical and chemical characteristics
Classification of
Pure Substances
- Compounds

Compounds are pure substances that are composed of two
or more different atoms that are held together by bonds





Two of the same atom bonded together is still considered an
element
Compounds CAN be decomposed into simpler substances
via heat, electrolysis, or a chemical reaction
Compounds have a unique set of physical and chemical
properties that differ from the elements that make up the
compound
Elements join in specific ratios according to their masses to
form compounds
Most natural pure substances are compounds!
Classification of Matter Mixtures
 Matter
found in nature is typically a
mixture
 A mixture is when two or more pure
substances are physically combined
 A mixture can be separated by physical
means – more on this later!
The Types of Mixtures Homogeneous
A homogeneous mixture is defined as a mixture that
has uniform composition throughout
There are four special types of homogeneous mixtures:

 A solution is formed when one substance is dissolved in
another
• Some special characteristics of solutions:
•
•
•
•
•
Contain small particles (ions or molecules)
Are transparent
Do not separate
Cannot be filtered
Do not scatter light
• Examples include Kool-Aid, salt water, and coffee
Another Type of Homogeneous
Mixtures - Colloids

A colloid is a homogeneous mixture that contains medium-sized
particles
 Some special characteristics of colloids include:
Cannot be filtered

Can be separated by semipermeable membranes
 Scatter light
Examples include:

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Fog
Milk
Whipped cream
Toothpaste
Mayonnaise
Blood plasma
Another Type of
Homogeneous Mixtures Suspensions


A suspension is a homogeneous mixture that
contains very large particles
Some special characteristics of colloids include:




Settle out
Can be filtered
Must be stirred to stay suspended
Examples include:






Soot
Muddy water
Paint
Chalk
Cottage cheese
Blood platelets
The Final Type of
Homogeneous Mixture - Alloys


An alloy is a mixture of elements that have metallic
properties
Examples include:

Brass


Cast iron


Mixture of iron, chromium, and nickel
Sterling silver


Mixture of copper, zinc, and tin
Stainless steel


Mixture of carbon and iron
Bronze


Mixture of copper and zinc
Mixture of silver and copper
Carat gold

Mixture of gold, silver, and copper
The Second Type of Mixture

Heterogeneous “Different”



Defined as a mixture that does not have uniform
composition throughout due to it being made
of multiple substances, whose presence can be
seen
Portions of a sample have different composition
and properties
Examples include:




Sand
Chocolate chip cookie
Salad with all the fixings
Granite