CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO
MATTER AND
MEASUREMENT

CONTENTS
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

Introduction
Classification of Matter
Properties of Matter
Units of Measurement
Uncertainty in Measurement
Dimensional Analysis
2

Learning outcomes:
Able to differentiate between the three
states of matter.
Able to distinguish between elements,
compounds and mixtures.
Able to distinguish between physical
and chemical properties.
Able to use and convert different units
of measurement.
3

1.1 Introduction
Chemistry is the study of properties of
materials and changes they undergo.
Central role in science and technology.
Has a high impact on our daily living, e.g.
health and medicine, energy and
environment, materials and technology
and food and agriculture.
Able to contribute to problem solving
analysis.
4

1.2 Classification of Matter

Matter
Physical material - anything that has mass
and occupies space.
Classifications of Matters
Matter can be classified according to its:
Physical state (solid, liquid or gas)
Composition (element, compound or
mixture)

Classification
of Matter

Physical State

Composition

Gas

Pure
substance

Mixture

Liquid

Element

Homogeneous

Solid

Compound

Heterogeneous
6

1.2.1 State of Matter

(Physical State)
Gas
no fixed volume/shape
easy to compress/expand
molecules are far apart
move at high speed
often collide

Cont: 1.2.1 State of Matter

(Physical State)
Liquid
volume independent of
container
slightly compressible
molecules closer than gas
move rapidly but
can slide over each other
8

Cont: 1.2.1 State of Matter

(Physical State)
Solid
defined volume & shape
Incompressible
molecules packed closely in
definite arrangement/rigid
shape

1.2.2 Composition
Pure Substance
Matter with fixed composition and distinct
properties, E.g H2O , NaCl

(i) Elements
- simplest form of matter
- cannot be decomposed into simpler
substances by chemical means i.e only one
kind of element
- can exist as atoms or molecules
10

Cont: 1.2.2 Composition

114 elements identified

Each given a unique name organized in a
Periodic Table

11

Cont: 1.2.2 Composition

(ii) Compounds
- substance composed of atoms of two or more
elements in fixed proportions
- can be separated only by chemical means
- exist as molecules (H2O, CO2)
- properties are different from the
elemental properties

12

Cont: 1.2.2 Composition

Mixture
Combination of two or more substances, in
which each substance retains its own
chemical identity.

(i) A Homogeneous mixture:

components uniformly mixed
(one phase)
e.g. air
also called solutions (gaseous,
liquid, solid solutions)

13

Cont: 1.2.2 Composition

(ii) A Heterogeneous mixture:
components are not distributed uniformly (more
than one phase)
e.g. sand & rocks
sugar & sand
Separating Mixtures (by physical means):
basic techniques: filtration, floatation,
crystallization, distillation, extraction and
chromatography.
14

1.3 Properties of Matter

Properties of matter can be grouped into two
categories:
Physical properties : measured and
observed without changing the composition
or identity of a substance. e.g. color, odor,
density, melting point, boiling point.
Chemical properties : describe how
substances react or change to form different
substances. e.g. hydrogen burning in
oxygen.

15

Cont: 1.3 Properties of

Matter
Properties of substance can be divided into
two additional categories:
Intensive properties
Do not depend on the amount of the sample
present. e.g. temperature, melting point,
density.
Extensive properties
Depends on quantity present. e.g. mass,
volume.

16

1.3.1 Physical and Chemical

Changes
Changes in matter can involve either
chemical or physical changes.
Physical change : substance changes
physical appearance but not composition.
e.g. changes of state :
liquid
gas
solid
liquid
Chemical change : substance transform into
a chemically different substance i.e. identify
changes. e.g. decomposition of water.
17

1.4 Units of Measurement

1.4 Units of Measurement

SI Units

1960 : All scientific units use Systme International

dUnits (SI Units).
Seven base units :
Physical Quantity
Mass
Length
Time
Electric current
Temperature
Luminous intensity
Amount of substance

Name of Unit
Kilogram
Meter
Second
Ampere
Kelvin
Candela
Mole

Abbreviation
Kg
m
s (sec)
A
K
cd
mol

18

1.4.1 Length and Mass

SI base unit of length : meter (m)
1 m = 1.0936 yards
Mass :A measure of the amount of material
in an object.
SI base unit of mass : kilogram (kg)
1 kg = 2.2 pounds

19

1.4.2 Temperature
Temperature is a measure of hotness or
coldness of an object
3 temperature scales are currently in use:
(i) OF (degrees Fahrenheit)
(ii) OC (degrees Celsius)
(iii) K (Kelvin)
Scientific studies commonly used
Celsius and Kelvin scales
20

Cont: 1.4.2 Temperature

Kelvin (SI Unit)
Based on properties of gases
0 K is the lowest temperature that can be
attained theoretically (absolute zero)
0 K = -273.15C

21

Temperature
scale

Properties of water at sea level

Freezing point

Boiling point

Fahrenheit, F

32

212

Celcius, C

100

Kelvin, K

273.15

373.15
22

Cont: 1.4.2 Temperature

Temperature conversions
K = 0C + 273.15
C = K - 273.15

9
F C 32
5
5
C F 32
9
23

1.4.3 Volume
SI unit of volume = (unit of length)3 = m3
Generally, chemists work with much smaller
volumes:
cm3 , mL or cc
1 cm3 = 1 mL = 1 10 -6 m3
1000 cm3 = 1 L
*Note: liter (L) is not an SI unit
1 dm 3 = 1 10 -3 m3
24

1.4.4 Density
Widely used to characterize substances.
Defined as mass divided by volume, d = mass (m)
volume (V)
Unit : g/cm3
Varies with temperature because volume changes with
temperature.
Can be used as a conversion factor to change mass to
volume and vice versa.
Common units :

g/mL for liquid, g/cm3 for solid, g/L for gas.

25

1.5 Uncertainty in
Measurement
Objectives
i. Determine the number of significant
figures in a measured quantity.
ii. Express the result of a calculation with
the proper number of significant figures.
26

Cont: 1.5 Uncertainty in

Measurement
Two types of numbers:
(i) Exact numbers - those that have defined
values or integers resulting from counting
numbers of objects. e.g. exactly 1000g in a
kilogram, exactly 2.54 in an inch.
(ii) Inexact numbers - those that obtained
from measurements and require judgement.
Uncertainties exist in their values.
Note : Uncertainties always exist in measured
quantities.
27

1.5.1 Precision and Accuracy

Precision - how well measured quantities

agree with each other.
Accuracy - how well measured quantities
agree with the true value.

28

Cont: 1.5.1 Precision and

Accuracy
Good precision
Good accuracy

Poor precision
Good accuracy

Good precision
Poor accuracy

Poor precision
Poor accuracy
29

Cont: 1.5.1 Precision and

Accuracy
The standard deviation,s is a precision
estimate based on the area score where:
xi - i-th measurement
is the average measurement
N is the number of measurements

(x

x)

N
30

1.5.2 Significant Figures

Measured quantities (inexact) are generally
reported in such a way that the last digit is
the first uncertain digit. (2.2405g)
All certain digits and the first uncertain digit
are referred to as significant figures.
Rules:
(i) Non-zero numbers are always significant
e.g. 2.86 : has three significant figures.
31

Cont: 1.5.2 Significant

Figures
(ii) Zeros between non-zero numbers are always
significant. E.g. 1205 has four significant figures.
(iii) Zeros before the first non-zero digit are not
significant. E.g. 0.003 : has one significant figure.
(iv) Zeros at the end of a number after a decimal
place are significant.. E.g. 0.0020 : has two
significant figures.
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Cont: 1.5.2 Significant

Figures
(v) Zeros at the end of a number before a
decimal place are ambiguous.
E.g. 100: has one significant number unless
otherwise stated. If it is determined from
counting objects, it has three significant
figures.
Method - Scientific notation removes the ambiguity of
knowing how many significant figures a number
possesses.

33

Cont: 1.5.2 Significant

Figures
Example:
(i) 225, 2.25 102 : three significant figures (s.f.).
(ii) 10.004, 1.0004 104 : five s.f.
(iii) 0.0025, 2.5 10-3 : two s.f.
(iv) 0.002500, 2.500 10-3 : four s.f.
(v) 14 100.0, 1.41000 x 104 : six s.f.
(vi) 14100, 1.4100 104, 1.41 104, 1.410 104 :
could have three, four or five s.f. - need knowledge.
34

1.5.3 Significant Figures in

Calculations
1.5.3.1 Addition (+) and Subtraction (-)
Result must be reported to the least number of
decimal places.
E.g. 20.4 g - 3.322 g = 17.1 g
Other Examples:The final answer should have the
same uncertainty, with the greatest uncertainty.
(i) 325.24 (uncertainty = 0.01)
21.4 (uncertainty = 0.1)
+ 145
(uncertainty = 1)
491.64
Answer : 492

35

Cont:1.5.3.1 Addition (+)

and Subtraction (-)
Other Examples:
(ii) 12.25 + 1.32 + 1.2 = 14.77
1.2 has the greatest uncertainty ( 0.1)
the answer must be rounded to one digit to
the right of the decimal point. Answer : 14.8
(iii) 13.7325 - 14.21 = -0.4775, Answer:
-0.48
36

1.5.3.2 Multiplication () and

Division ()
Result must be to the least number of significant
figures.
E.g. 6.221 cm 5.2 cm = 32 cm2
To round off the final calculated answer so that it
has the same number of significant figures as the
least certain number.
Other Example:
(i) 1.256 2.42 = 3.03952
The least certain/precise number is 2.42 3 significant
figures(s.f.). The answer must be rounded to the 3
s.f.: 3.04
37

Cont: 1.5.3.2 Multiplication

() and Division ()
Other Examples:
(ii) 16.231 2.20750 = 7.352661
The least precise number is 16.231 (5 s.f.).
Answer is 5 s.f. : 7.3527
(iii) (1.1)(2.62)(13.5278) 2.650 = 14.712121
The least precise number is 1.1 (2 s.f.).
Answer must be rounded to 2 s.f. : 15
38

1.5.3.3 Rules for Rounding

Off Numbers
(i) When the figures immediately following
the last digit to be retained is less than 5, the
last digit unchanged.
e.g. 6.4362 to be rounded off to four
significant figures : 6.436
(ii) When the figure immediately following the
last digit to be retained is greater than 5,
increase the last retained figure by 1.
e.g 6.4366 to be rounded off to four
significant figures : 6.437

39

Cont: 1.5.3.3 Rules for

Rounding Off Numbers
(iii) When the figure immediately following the last
digit to be retained is 5, the last figure to be
retained is increased by 1, whether it is odd or even.
e.g. 2.145 becomes 2.15 if three significant figures
are to be retained.
(iv) When a calculation involves an intermediate
answer, retain at least one additional digit past the
number of significant figures.

40

1.6 Dimensional Analysis

Objective: To be able to convert different
measurement units by using dimensional analysis.
Dimensional Analysis is the algebraic process
of changing from one system of units to another.
Conversion factors are used.
A conversion factor is a fraction whose numerator
and denominator are the same quantity
expressed in different units.
Given units are being multiplied and divided to
give the desired units.
41

Cont: 1.6 Dimensional

Analysis
Desired unit = given unit conversion factor
conversion factor (desired unit )

(given unit )
In dimensional analysis, always ask three
questions:
(i) What data are given?
(ii) What quantity do we need?
(iii) What conversion factors are available to
take us from what are given to what we need?
42

Example 1
Quantity 1 in. = 2.54 cm yields two
conversion factors

2.54 cm and 1 in.

1 in.
2.54 cm
Convert 5.08 cm to in. and 4.00 in. to cm
5.08 cm 1 in.
= 2.00 in.
2.54 cm
4.00 in. 2.54 cm = 10.2 cm
1 in.

43

Example 2
Convert 6.23 ft3 to the appropriate SI unit.
ft3 to m3 and 3.272 ft = 1m
(1 ft )3 = (1m)3
(3.272ft)3
6.23 ft3 = 6.23 ft3 (1m)3
(3.272ft)3

= 0.178 m3

44

Exercise 1.1
A persons average daily intake of glucose
is 0.0833 pound. What is this mass in
milligrams?
( 1 lb = 453.6 g)
lb

453.6 g
0.0833 lb x 1 lb

mg
x

1000 mg
1g

Answer: 3.78 x 10-4 mg

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END of CHAPTER 1

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