Compare and contrast matter and energy - Middle School Physical Science

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Question

Which of these is the best definition of matter?

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Answer

The correct answer is "matter has mass and takes up space."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion.

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms.

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