I.

Matter: Its Properties

and Measurement
 • What is Chemistry?
• The Scientific Method
• Classification of Matter
• The Importance of Energy in the Study of Matter
Contents • The Measurement of Matter
• Some Important Units in Chemistry
• Conversion Factors
• Uncertainties in Scientific Measurements
• Significant Figures

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
Chemistry
It is the study of matter and its properties, the changes
that matter undergoes, and the energy associated with
those changes.

CLICK the picture to watch

a short youtube video on
the Importance of
Chemistry in Life

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021

 The Branches of
Chemistry
The field of chemistry is divided into branches such
as organic, inorganic, biochemistry and general
chemistry.

• Organic chemistry is the study of substances

that contain the element carbon (C).
• Inorganic chemistry is the study of all other
substances except those that contain carbon.
• General chemistry is the study of the
composition, properties, and reactions of
matter.
• Biochemistry or biological chemistry is the
study of chemical processes that take place in
living organisms.
This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,
Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Scientific Method
▪ It is a systematic process of acquiring knowledge in the
natural world. It involves a series of steps. .

Here’s an overview of these steps

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 1. Observe and Question
▪ Observation of a phenomenon
▪ Observations of natural events
usually raise a question or identify a
problem

o Your observation can be on anything from

plant movement to animal behavior,
anything, as long as it is something you
want to know more about.
o Once you've made your observation, you
must formulate a question about what
you have observed.
o When stating your question, you should
be as specific as possible.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 2. Research
▪ See if there’s any existing information about your observation

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 3. Hypothesize
▪ A hypothesis is formulated which tries to explain your observation or answer
your question. It is an educated guess regarding the question’s answer.
➢ e.g. Exposure to fertilizer increases the reproduction of bean plants
Cactus spines reduce herbivory
UVB radiation causes limb deformities in amphibians

➢ An example of a good hypothesis is: If exposure to fertilizer increases the reproduction of

bean plants, then the number of pods per plant should increase in plants exposed to
fertilizer compared with control plants.

▪ A valid hypothesis need not be correct, but it must be testable.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 4. Experiment
▪ An experiment is designed to prove or disprove the hypothesis
▪ Once you've developed a hypothesis, you must design and conduct an
experiment that will test it.
▪ An experiment usually has three kinds of variables:

o Independent Variable –The variable is deliberately changed in the experiment

o Dependent Variable/s – The variable that responds to the changed in the independent variable
– The variable being measured
o Controlled Variables – Kept Constant

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 5. Collect, Organize & Analyze Data
• Data are collected from experiments
• Data are organized in tables, charts and graphs so that it can be easily analyzed

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Step 6. Draw Conclusions
▪ Result are interpreted.
▪ Decide whether the results of the experiment
support a hypothesis.
▪ If the hypothesis is inconsistent with the experimental results, it
must be revised or discarded.

Step 7. Share the Results

▪ Results must be communicated in the form of a written report or presentation
▪ This allows other people to see if the results are repeatable
o For experimental results to be accepted, they must be reproducible, not only by the person
who designed the experiment, but also by others.
o such reproducibility is a sign of good scientific work
This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,
Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 CLICK the picture
below to watch a
short video on the
Scientific Method

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
Matter
• Matter: Occupies space,
has mass and inertia

• is the “stuff” of the

universe: air, glass,
planets, students-
anything that has mass
and volume.
 Classifications of Matter
Matter is typically characterized by:

its physical state (solid, liquid, or gas)

its composition (element, compound, or mixture)
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT
 States of Matter

o The particles in a solid are very tightly packed and vibrate in

place. Solids have a definite volume and shape.

o Particles in the liquid also lie together but are jumbled and
move randomly around one another.

➢ Liquids have a definite volume but they do not have a

definite shape. This is why liquids like water take the
shape of the container they are in.

o Particles in the gas usually have great distances between

them, as they move randomly throughout the entire
container.

➢ Gases do not have a definite shape or volume. When

placed in a container, it fills up the entire container and
spreads out as far as possible.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT

Ice Liquid water Water vapor

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,
Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 (a) atom s of an (b) Molecules of (c) Molecules of (d) Mixtures of elements
elem ent an elem ent a compound and a c o m p o u n d
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT
Pure Substances
▪ Pure substance is matter that has a fixed or definite
composition. There are two kinds of pure substances:
elements and compounds.
▪ An element, the simplest type of a pure substance, is
composed of only one type of material such as silver, iron, or
aluminum
▪ A compound is also a pure substance, but it consists of atoms
of two or more elements always chemically combined in the
same proportion. In compounds, the atoms are held together
by attractions called bonds, which form small groups of
atoms called molecules.
Mixtures
▪ Much of the matter in our everyday lives consists of
mixtures. In a mixture, two or more substances are
physically mixed, but not chemically combined
➢The air we breathe is a mixture of mostly oxygen
and nitrogen gases.

▪ Physical processes can be used to separate mixtures

because there are no chemical interactions between
the components.
➢For example, different coins such as nickels,
dimes, and quarters can be separated by size;
iron particles mixed with sand can be picked up
with a magnet; and water is separated from
cooked spaghetti by using a strainer
Types of Mixtures
▪ Mixtures are classified further as homogeneous
or heterogeneous. In a homogeneous mixture,
also called a solution, the composition is
uniform throughout the sample

➢ Familiar examples of homogeneous mixtures are

air, which contains oxygen and nitrogen gases,
and sea water, a solution of salt and water.

▪ In a heterogeneous mixture, the components do

not have a uniform composition throughout the
sample. For example, a mixture of oil and water
is heterogeneous because the oil floats on the
surface of the water.
 Properties of Matter
The properties of m a t t e r can be categorized into two:

1. Physical properties can be observed wi t h o u t

changing th e identity and composition of th e
substance.
Color, odor, density, m e l t i n g point, boiling point,
and hardness.
Physical change (same substances before and
after): Water (solid form) →water (liquid form)
 ▪ A physical change occurs when a substance alters its physical form, not
its composition.

For example, when ice melts,

several physical properties have
changed, such as hardness, density,
and ability to flow. But the sample
has not changed its composition: it
is still water.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021 Prentice-Hall © 2007
 Properties of Matter
The properties of m a t t e r can be categorized into two:

2. Chemical properties describe h o w a substance

ma y change or react, to f o r m other
substances.
Flammability, corrosiveness, reactiveness w i t h acids
Chemical change (different substances before and
after): Water → Hydrogen + Oxygen
 ▪ A chemical change, also called a chemical reaction, occurs when
a substance (or substances) is converted into a different
substance (or substances).

The sample has changed its composition: it is no

longer water, as you can see from the different
particles in the magnified view.

Chemical change (different substances before and

after):

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 The Importance of Energy in
the Study of Matter
Physical and chemical changes are accompanied
by energy changes.

Potential energy is th e "stored" energy

Kinetic energy is th e energy in "motion"
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D

The total energy an object possesses is the sum

MEASUREMENT

of its potential energy and kinetic energy.

 Units of Measurement
Many properties of m a t t e r are quantitative. All
measured quantities consist of a n u m b e r and a unit.

▪ In 1960, an international committee met

in France to establish the International
System of Units, a revised metric system
now accepted by scientists throughout
the world.
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT

▪ The units of this system are called SI

units, from the French Systeme
International d' Unites.
 UNITS
S.I. Units Other Common Units
Length metre, m Length Angstrom, Å, 10-8 cm
Mass Kilogram, kg Volume Litre, L, 10-3 m3
Time second, s Energy Calorie, cal, 4.184 J
Temperature Kelvin, K Pressure 1 Atm = 1.064 x 102 kPa
Quantity Mole, 6.022×1023 mol-1 1 Atm = 760 mm Hg

Derived Quantities (based on SI units)

Force Newton, kg m s-2
Pressure Pascal, kg m-1 s-2
Energy Joule, kg m2 s-2

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Some Important Units in Chemistry

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 SI Prefixes

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Units of Measurement
Conversion Factor
The conversion factor you choose m u s t cancel all
units except those you wa n t in th e answer:

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
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PAG E 16
 Units of Measurement
Conversion Factor
The l e n g th in centimeters of an object th a t is 8.50 in. long is

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT

PAG E 17
 Units of Measurement
Conversion Factor
The l e n g th in inches of an object th a t is 325 cm long is

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
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PAG E 17
 Units of Measurement
Conversion Factor
The l e n g th in inches of an object th a t is 325 cm long is

1 in.
Number of inches = (325 cm) = 128 𝑖𝑛.
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D 2.54 cm
MEASUREMENT

PAG E 17
 Uncertainty in Measurement

Two kinds of n u mb e rs are encountered in scientific work:

Exact n u m b e rs are those whose values are k n o w n exactly.

Inexact n u m b e rs those whose values have some

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
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uncertainty.

PAG E 18
 Remember:

Uncertainties always exist in

measured quantities.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
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PAG E 19
 Precision and Accuracy
Precision is a measure of h o w closely individual
measurements agree w i t h one another.

Accuracy refers to h o w closely individual

measurements agree w i t h th e correct, or "true" value.
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT

PAG E 2 0
 PRECISION AND ACCURACY

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 21
 PRECISION AND ACCURACY

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 22

Low accuracy Low accuracy High accuracy High accuracy

Low precision High precision Low precision High precision
 Uncertainties in Scientific Measurements

▪ We can never measure a quantity exactly, because

measuring devices are made to limited specifications and we
use our imperfect senses and skills to read them. Therefore,
every measurement includes some uncertainty

➢ When you buy potatoes, a supermarket scale that measures

in 0.1-kg increments is perfectly acceptable; it tells you that
the mass is, for example, 2.0 ± 0.1 kg. The term "± 0.1 kg"
expresses the uncertainty in the measurement: the potatoes
weigh between 1 .9 and 2. 1 kg.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Significant Figures

The digits we record in a

measurement, both the
certain and the uncertain
ones, are called significant
figures.

This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,

Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021
 Determinine Which Digits are Significant
a. 0.0030 L
b. 0.1044 g
c. 53.069 m L
d. 0.00004715 m
e. 57,600. s
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT
f. 0.0000007160 cm3 26
 Determinine Which Digits are Significant
a. 0.0030 L = 2 sf
b. 0.1044 g = 4 sf
c. 53.069 m L = 5 sf
d. 0.00004715 m = 4 sf
e. 57,600. s = 5 sf
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT
f. 0.0000007160 cm3 = 4 sf
27
 Significant Figures in Calculation

If we have too many significant figures, we round off

the answer to obtain the proper number of them.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 27
 Significant Figures and Arithmetic
Operations

If we have too many significant figures, we round off

the answer to obtain the proper number of them.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 27
 Significant Figures and
Arithmetic Operations
For addition and subtraction, th e result has th e
same n u m b e r of decimal places as th e
me a su rement w i t h th e fewest decimal places.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 29
 For addition and subtraction
➢ Ex. Suppose you measure 83.5 mL of water in a graduated
cylinder and add 23.28 mL of protein solution from a buret (a
laboratory apparatus). The total volume is

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT • Here the calculator shows 106.78 mL, but you report the
PAG E
29

volume as 106.8 mL, with one decimal place, because the

measurement with fewer decimal places (83.5 mL) has one
decimal place.
 Significant Figures and
Arithmetic Operations
For multiplication and division, th e result contains
th e same n u m b e r of significant figures as th e
me a su rement w i t h th e fewest significant figures.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 29
 For multiplication and division
➢ Ex. Suppose you want to find the volume of a sheet of a new graphite
composite. The length (9.2 cm) and width (6.8 cm) are obtained with a
meter stick and the thickness (0.3744 cm) with a set of fine calipers.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
• The calculator shows 23 .4225
MEASUREMENT
cm3, but you should report the answer as 23
29

cm3 , with two significant figures, because the length and width
measurements determine the overall certainty, and they contain only two
significant figures .
 Rules for Rounding Off
▪ In most calculations, you need to round off the answer to obtain the proper
number of significant figures or decimal places.

RULE 1: If the digit removed is more than 5, the preceding number is

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 29
increased by 1: 5.379 rounds to 5.38 if three significant figures are retained
and to 5.4 if two significant figures are retained.
 Rules for Rounding Off

RULE 2: If the digit removed is less than 5, the preceding number is

unchanged: 0.2413 rounds to 0.241 if three significant figures are retained
and to 0.24 if two significant figures are retained.
U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 29
 Rules for Rounding Off
RULE 3: If the digit removed is 5, the preceding number is increased by 1 if it
is odd and remains unchanged if it is even: 17.75 rounds to 17.8 , but 17.65
rounds to 17.6.

If the 5 is followed only by zeros, rule 3 is followed; if the 5 is followed by

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D
MEASUREMENT
PAG E
29

nonzeros, rule 1 is followed: 17 .6500 rounds to 17.6, but 17.6513 rounds to

17.7
 Rules for Rounding Off
RULE 4: Always carry one or two additional significant figures through a
multistep calculation and round off the final answer only.

U N I T 1: M ATTER A N D PAG E
MEASUREMENT 29
 CLICK the picture to watch a short video on the Significant Figures
This module is developed by Crispin Marino Panlaque Jr.,
Science Department, MSU-GSC, 1st SEM, A.Y. 2020-2021