Matter is thing that occupies space and has mass. Matter exists in three physical states: Solid, liquid and gas. In this note we will focus on understanding the physical properties of matter and how they can be measured.
Properties of Matter
Physical Properties are associated with physical existence of matter. These are inbuilt characteristics of a substance that can be determined without altering its composition e.g. states of matter, colour, taste, odour, melting point, boiling point, density etc.
Mass is the amount of matter present in substance and is measured very accurately in the laboratory by using an analytical balance. The SI unit of mass is kilogram.
Volume is space occupied by an substance, measured in liters (L) or cubic meters (m³).
Density is mass per unit volume of a substance, calculated as Density = Mass / Volume. It is measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
Temperature is measure of the thermal energy within a substance, measured in degrees Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), or Kelvin (K).
Pressure is force exerted per unit area, measured in pascals (Pa) or atmospheres (atm).
Chemical Properties is the ability of a substance to form new substances, either by decomposition or by reaction with other substances e.g. acidity or basicity, combustibility, etc. Examples include flammability, acidity, and reactivity.
Measurement of Properties
To understand and quantify these properties, accurate measurement techniques are crucial. Here are some common methods:
1.Mass Measurement: Mass is usually measured using a balance, such as a digital or beam balance. The unit of mass is kilograms (kg) or grams (g).
2. Volume Measurement: For liquids, volume is typically measured using measuring cylinders, burettes, or pipettes. For solids, the volume can be calculated if the shape is regular (using geometric formulas) or measured by displacement of water for irregular objects.
3. Density Measurement: Once mass and volume are known, density can be calculated using the formula:
Density = Mass / Volume
This property helps in distinguishing different substances and understanding their buoyancy in fluids.
4. Temperature Measurement: Thermometers are used to measure temperature. In scientific circumstances, the Kelvin scale is often used, where 0 K represents absolute zero, the point at which molecular motion ceases.
5. Pressure Measurement: Devices like barometers and manometers measure pressure. Pressure is significant in studying gases, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics.
