Grade 8 Science - Properties of Matter: Part 1

We have learnt that our environment is made of matter and energy. Matter can be cited as all physical objects in the environment. Substances that have mass and occupies space are called Matter. Rocks, water, soil, equipment, artificial structures and etc. belong to matter. Those that do not occupy any space and have no mass are called Energy. For example, light, sound, electricity and etc. are different forms of energy that exist in the environment.

Amidst the various notions presented by several scientists about the discontinuous nature of matter in the past, today it has been confirmed that matter is composed of particles. The discontinuous or the particulate nature of matter is the idea that substances or matter exist as small particles that possess spaces among each other. Considering the physical nature of matter, it can be categorized in to the following groups.

1. Solid
2. Liquid
3. Gas

Let us now explore the discontinuous nature of matter under the above states.

When we place one end of a chalk on a small amount of ink or potassium permanganate that is placed on a watch glass, the color could be seen to have soaked up through the chalk after some time. The ink was able to move up the item, as chalk being a solid is made of tiny particles that have many spaces among them. Moreover, when mercury touches gold items, we can find mercury particles on them that eventually damage the gold. This also proves that gold as a solid consists of several small particles and spaces through which mercury particles moved.

When potassium permanganate crystals and colored ink are placed/added separately in two different water beakers, we can observe that the color of the above substances spreads in water gradually. This happens as the particles of these substances move among the water particles. Thus, liquid matter too has a discontinuous or particulate nature.

The gaseous matter too are discontinuous in nature and this can be observed when the scent of a lighted joss stick spreads across the room. Moreover, when a few drops of perfume are placed on a watch glass, it gradually disappears from it and in the meantime, the smell spreads around. This means that the particles of these matter also move through the spaces that are present among the air particles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mekhala Egodawele

Photo source : Internet