Introduction to Matter and Energy

Matter What’s the matter? – Matter is anything made of atoms and molecules. – Matter has mass. What is mass? Mass is the amount of stuff in an object. We typically refer to mass as weight (which is also a measure of gravity). In science, we measure mass in grams (milligrams, kilograms, etc.) – Matter can also have energy – or the ability to do work. Specifically, the atoms contain energy.

Atoms Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. An element is a collection of atoms that cannot be broken down into anything else.

States of Matter Matter comes in 3 states – Solid – Liquid – Gas These states are determined by the type of matter and the amount of energy that matter has.

Solid Solids are usually the most dense state of matter (water is an exception to this since the solid, or ice, is less dense than the liquid). The atoms and molecules of a solid are packed tightly together and contain the least amount of energy.

Liquid Atoms in a liquid are not packed as tightly and are able to move around more easily. Liquids can flow and change shape, which solids cannot.

Gas Gases are the least dense of all matter states. Atoms are not packed tightly and are free to move around. Gases can fill most volumes and the atoms move around very quickly.

Building Matter Atoms combine to make up molecules and compounds. These molecules and compounds make up the basic units that make life possible – carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Why learn about chemistry? You could start really small... - Particles of matter - Atoms - Elements - Molecules - Macromolecules - Cell organelles - Cells - Tissues - Organs - Systems - Organisms - Populations - Ecosystems - Biospheres - Planets - Planetary Systems with Stars - Galaxies - The Universe And finish really big. Wow. All of that is possible because of atoms.