Science 7
Notes 9
Matter
Substance
Volume
Weight
Mass
Solid/Liquid/Gas
Describe the
properties of
matter.
Describe the
phases of matter.
Classifying Matter
Classify: to organize objects into two groups according to similar
How is matter
classified?
What is a
property?
What is a
substance?
properties.
Properties: Characteristics that describe how one kind of matter is
different that another.
Substance: anything with a constant composition throughout made of
matter.
All Matter Has 2 Basic Properties
What are the two
basic properties
of all matter?
1. Matter takes up space (has volume).
2. Matter is affected by gravity (has mass).
Define volume.
– The more mass something has, the more it is affected by gravity
Describe the
difference
between mass
and weight.
– Weight is how hard gravity pulls on a substance.
Will the mass of
an object change
on the moon? If
so, how?
Will the weight
of an object
change on the
moon? If so,
how?
– Mass is how much matter is in it.
Objects on Earth would weigh less if you brought them to the
moon (where there’s less gravity). However, their mass won’t
change because no matter where they are, the number of particles
is still the same.
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Science 7
What are the three
phases of matter?
Can solids be
penetrated easily?
Describe the shape
of a solid.
Notes 9
Matter is found in
three different phases
(or states):
Solids
– Can’t be easily
penetrated
Describe how
molecules are
arranged in a
solid.
– Have definite
shape/volume
What is cohesion?
– Sometimes are rigid
Describe the
cohesion of
molecules in a
solid.
Can liquids be
penetrated easily?
– Molecules are tightly packed and vibrating in place (that’s why
they have their own shape)
– Cohesion (the force holding the molecules together) is strongest
Liquids
Describe the shape
of a liquid.
– Easily penetrated
– Have NO definite shape (takes up the shape of the container)
Describe how
molecules are
arranged in a
liquid.
– Have definite volume
– Can be poured
– Molecules are close together and in motion
Describe the
cohesion of
molecules in a
liquid.
Can gases be
penetrated easily?
Describe the shape
of a gas.
Describe how
molecules are
arranged in a gas.
Describe the
cohesion of
molecules in a
gas.
– Cohesion is weakened
Gases
– Can be penetrated very easily
– Have NO definite shape
– Have NO definite volume (will expand or contract to fill a
sealed container)
– Can be poured
– Molecules are moving and spread far apart because…There is
no cohesion
– Liquids and gases are also called fluids
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Science 7
Notes 9
Class Work:
On the space below, write a yes/no question that separates the objects above into two groups.
There must be at least two objects included in each group. You cannot use color or size.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Based on the question, write the numbers that go with each object in the in the appropriate
boxes below.
NO
YES
Write a second yes/no question that will further divide the objects in the “YES” box into
smaller groups.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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