Lesson 1: Introduction to matter Unit 1:matter Lesson 1: Introduction to matter

What is Matter? Matter is anything that has mass AND volume. Almost everything in the universe is made of matter. Animals, air, water, even the sun. Examples of things that are not made of matter are light and sound.

What has more mass, a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks? What is Mass? Mass describes the amount of matter that is in an object. Mass does not measure the size of an object, only how much mass is in it? Is it possible for objects that are the same size to have different masses? The main unit of measure for mass is the gram (g). However, scientists also use milligrams (mg) and kilograms (kg). What has more mass, a ton of feathers or a ton of bricks?

Mass vs. Weight Mass Weight Mass measures the amount of matter in an object. Gravity does not have an affect on the mass of an object. Weight measures the gravitational force on an object. Weight can change if the gravity changes.

Walking on the moon…

Measuring Mass & Weight To measure the mass of small objects, we often use a triple beam balance. These balances use countermasses to compare to the mass of the object. To measure the weight of objects, a spring scale can be used. (We used these last semester, and they are often in supermarkets).

What is Volume? Volume is a measurement of how much space an object occupies. (The size of an object) The units that scientists use for volume are cubic centimeters (cc, cm3 or milliliters (mL). There are many ways to determine the volume of an object. If the object is a regular shape, we can use a formula to calculate the volume. For example the volume of a rectangular box is V= (length) (width) (height) If the object has irregular shape we can use water displacement.

Volume by Formula When using a formula, it is best to follow these steps. 1st – Write down the information you know about the object 2nd Draw and label the object 3rd Write the formula 4th Substitute the measurements 5th Make your calculations Some important formulae to remember are: Rectangular box: V=(length)(width)(height) Triangular prism: V=1/2(base)(height) Sphere: V= 4/3(π)(r)3

Volume by Displacement For objects with irregular shapes, you can use a beaker or graduated cylinder to determine the volume of that object. Because two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time, if you place an object in water, the water will move (displaced). What happens when you fill a cup all the way, THEN put ice in the cup? A liquid’s volume is measured in liters (L) or milliliters (mL). 1mL = 1 cm3 To use water displacement: 1st place water into a beaker/graduated cylinder 2nd measure the amount of water (initial volume) 3rd place the object into the water 4th measure the new volume (final volume) 5th subtract the original volume from the final volume V= (final vol.)–(initial vol.)

What is the volume of this rock?