01.

Matter In Our Surroundings

Definition of Matter
Any substance that has mass and occupies space is called matter. Matter,

 Is made up of basic building blocks commonly called as elements.

 Exists in solid, liquid, gaseous and plasma states.

 Can be defined with respect to atoms, mass, volume, space etc.

Matter
Matter is that which occupies space and has mass. It is made up of small particles.

The space between particles in matter is called intermolecular space.

The particles in a matter are moving in nature because the particles of a matter have kinetic
energy. The motion of the particles increases with an increase in temperature.

The particles of matter attract each other, but this mutual force of attraction is effective only
when the particles are very close to each other. In solids, the particles are closely packed and
hence they have a greater intermolecular force of attraction, while in gases, the particles are
loosely held. Hence they have a weak force of attraction.

Definition of Atom
An atom is the smallest divisible part of the element that retains the physical and chemical
properties of an element.

For example, take an inch of gold and keep cutting into tiny pieces. The smallest of pieces
will still retain the same properties as the original piece.

Each atom has a nucleus at its centre which is made of protons and neutrons. This nucleus is
surrounded by a cloud of electrons in an orbit around it. The electrons are held in orbit by
electrostatic attraction to the nucleus.

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Definition of Molecule
A molecule is formed when two or more atoms of the same element or of different elements
unite. It is the smallest unit of matter that can take part in a chemical reaction.

Molecules can exist freely in nature.

For example, one molecule of oxygen has two atoms of oxygen.

Molecules retain complete physical and chemical properties of that matter.

Molecules in a matter continuously keep moving from their original position.

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Definition of Element
An element is a substance which cannot be subdivided into two or more similar substances by
any chemical or physical means.

All matter is made up of elements and each element has its own physical and chemical
properties.

Elements are often referred to as pure substances as they are made up of only one kind of
atom.

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Difference between Element and Compound
Sl. Differentiating
No. Property
1 Definition
2 Total Numbers
3 Types
4 Examples
5 Representation
6 Distinguished By
7 Composition and
Property
8 Ability to
Breakdown
Element
Elements are pure substances
which are composed of only
one type of atom.
There are nearly 118 elements
(at present) of which nearly 94
occur naturally on Earth.
Elements are classified as
metals, nonmetals or
metalloids.
Some of the examples of
elements are Iron, Copper,
Gold, etc.
Elements are represented by
symbols and numbers. For
example, Sodium is
represented by Na.
Elements can be distinguished
by their atomic number.
As only one type of atoms
makes up an element, all the
properties of that atom are
represented by its atom.
Elements cannot be broken
down by chemical reactions.
Compound
Compounds are substances which
are formed by two or more different
types of elements that are united
chemically in fixed proportions.
Compounds are almost endless.
Compounds are classified according
to their bonds which can be ionic,
molecular or metallic.
A few examples of compounds are
NaOH, NaCl, etc.
Compounds are represented by their
chemical formula. For example, salt
is represented by the formula NaCl.
Distinguished by their fixed ratio of
different elements (arranged in a
defined manner).
In the case of compounds, the same
type of molecules makes up the
compound.
Compounds can be easily separated
into simpler substances by chemical
reactions.

 Matter exists in three different physical states:

 Solid
 Liquid
 Gas
The states of matter are interchangeable i.e., a substance can be changed from its solid state to its liquid
state and vice-versa.

A transition from the liquid state to the gaseous state and vice-versa is also possible.

However, some substances directly change into their gaseous states from their solid states and vice-versa.
Matter can be changed from one state to another by changing temperature or pressure.

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 Changing the State of Matter
A change of state is a physical change in a matter. They are
reversible changes and do not involve any changes in the chemical
makeup of the matter. Common changes of the state include melting,
freezing, sublimation, deposition, condensation, and vaporization.

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Effect of change in temperature:
The temperature effect on heating a solid varies depending on the nature of the solid & the
conditions required in bringing the change.

On increasing the temperature of solids, the kinetic energy of the particles increases which
overcomes the force of attraction between the particles thereby solid melts and is converted to
a liquid.

Effect of Change of Pressure:

Increasing or decreasing the pressure can change the state of matter. Applying pressure and
reducing temperature can liquefy gases.

Solid carbon dioxide (CO2) is stored under high pressure. Solid CO2 gets converted directly
to gaseous state on a decrease of pressure without coming into the liquid state. This is the
reason that solid carbon dioxide is also known as dry ice.

At a given temperature in any gas, liquid or solid, there are particles with different amounts
of kinetic energy.

In the case of liquids, a small fraction of particles at the surface, having higher kinetic energy,
is able to break away from the forces of attraction of other particles and gets converted into
vapour.

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 Some important terms

Evaporation:

This phenomenon of change of a liquid into vapours at any temperature below its boiling
point is called evaporation.

Humidity:

It is the amount of water vapour present in the air.

Melting point:

The temperature at which solid melts to become a liquid at the atmospheric pressure is called
its melting point.

Boiling point:

The temperature at which a liquid starts boiling at the atmospheric pressure is known as its
boiling point. Water boils at 1000C. That means at that temperature, it changes from the
liquid state to the gaseous state.

Latent heat:

The quantity of heat absorbed or released by a substance undergoing a change of state, such
as ice changing to water or water to steam, at constant temperature and pressure.

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Kinetic theory of matter:
It explains the difference between the three states of matter explained as below:

 It states that all matter is made up of moving particles which are molecules or atoms.

 In solids, the particles are so tightly bound to each other that they can only vibrate but
not move to another location.

 In liquids, the particles have enough free space to move about, but they still attract
one another.

 In gases, the particles are far apart and can move about freely since there is much free
space.

 When the particles gain more kinetic energy, like when being heated and are able to
move apart from one another.

 When the molecules vibrate more quickly upon heating, some of it escapes from the
matter.

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 Differences between Evaporation and Boiling

Evaporation Boiling
Evaporation is a normal process that occurs when Boiling is an unnatural process
the liquid form changes into the gaseous form; where the liquid gets heated up
while causing an increase in the pressure or and vaporized due to
temperature. continuous heating of the
liquid.
Evaporation usually occurs on the surface of the Boiling usually occurs on the
liquid being heated up. entire mass of the liquid that
gets heated up.
Bubbling effect is not visible in evaporation. Bubbling effect is visible
during the process of boiling.
The process of evaporation is usually slower and The process of boiling is
more carried out when compared to boiling. usually much quicker and the
process happens quite rapidly
as well.

In Short :-
Evaporation is a surface phenomenon. Particles
from the surface gain enough energy to overcome
the forces of attraction present in the liquid and
change into the vapour state.

Boiling is a bulk phenomenon. Particles from the

bulk (whole) of the liquid change into vapour state.

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Factors affecting evaporation:
 Wind assists evaporation, for example, clothes dry faster under a fan.

 Heat assists evaporation, for example, in summer clothes dry faster than in winter.

 The increase in surface area exposed assists evaporation, for instance, a wet cloth
spread out dries faster than when folded.

 Dryness assists evaporation, for instance, clothes dry faster in summer than during the
monsoon when the air is humid.

 The rate of evaporation depends upon the nature of the liquid, for example, petrol
evaporates faster than water.

 Vapour pressure: if pressure is applied on the surface of a liquid, evaporation is

hindered; for example, consider the case of a pressure cooker.

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