What Is Matter?

Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass—it’s what everything around you is made of! Matter comes in different forms, called states, like solids, liquids, and gases.

Properties of Matter

• Physical Properties: Color, shape, size, texture, melting point, and more.
• Chemical Properties: How matter reacts with other substances, like rusting or burning.

Changing States

Matter can change from solid to liquid to gas by adding or removing heat. These changes are called phase changes. For example, when ice (solid) melts, it becomes water (liquid).

Conservation of Mass

The total amount of matter stays the same, even when it changes form. This is called the law of conservation of mass, often written as:

\( \text{Mass}{\text{before}} = \text{Mass}{\text{after}} \)

Real-World Connections

• Chefs rely on the properties of matter when cooking and baking.
• Recycling helps us reuse matter in new forms.