Classification of

Matter
Science Grade 7
 What is matter?
Matter is something that occupies
space and possesses mass. Around us, there
are various objects such as water, iron, wood,
alcohol, air that we breathe, or helium gas
used to filled a balloon. Those objects can be
classified into three states of matter which
are :
1. Solid, such as iron and wood
2.Liquid , such as water and alcohol
3. Gas, such as oxygen and helium
Solid
Solids are defined by the following
characteristics:

- Definite shape (rigid)

- Definite volume
- Particles vibrate around fixed axes
Liquid
Liquids have the following characteristics:

- No definite shape (takes the shape of its

container).
- Has definite volume.
- Particles are free to move over each
other, but are still attracted to each
other.
 Gas
Gases have the following characteristics:

- No definite shape (takes the shape of its

container)
- No definite volume
- Particles move in random motion with little or
no attraction to each other
- Highly compressible
 Element
An element is the simplest
material which cannot be decomposed
any further into another simpler
substance through a common chemical
reaction. An element is a pure substance
composed of the same type of atoms. An
atom is the smallest part of an element
which has the characteristic of the
element.
 Compound
A compound is a pure
homogeneous substance, which
consist of 2 or more different
elements with a particular ratio, which
is formed through a chemical
reaction, Generally, the characteristic
of a compound is different from the
characteristic of its constituent
elements.
 Mixture
When two or more substances
are mixed and do not bring about a
chemical reaction, those mixed
substance are called a mixture. The
combination of water and sugar is an
example of a mixture. Mixture can be
classified into homogenous mixtures
and heterogenous mixtures.
 Homogeneous Mixture (Solution)
A homogeneous mixture is a mixture in
which the composition is uniform throughout the
mixture. A homogeneous mixtures is also called a
solution. In a solution, the solute has a relatively
small particle size. So, there will be no sediment
when it is being left to sit for a considerable time.
Homogeneous mixtures include solutions of acids,
bases and salts.
 Acids
An acid is defined as a substance whose
water solution tastes sour, turns blue litmus red,
and neutralizes bases. Example: vinegar, lemon
and orange juice, wine, aspirin.

Characteristics of an acid solution:

1. It tastes sour (Not to be tasted except in food)
2. Can corrode
3. Turns blue litmus paper to red.
 Bases
A substance is called base if its aqueous
solution tastes bitter, turns red litmus blue, or
neutralizes acids.

Characteristics of base solutions:

1. Has a slightly bitter taste (cannot be tasted)
2. Bases feel slippery or soapy
3. Turns red litmus to blue.
 Salts
Salt is a neutral substance whose
aqueous solution does not affect litmus. A
salt is a combination of an acid and a base
resulting from a neutralization reaction. The
salt that is often used is table salt or sodium
chloride (NaCl).
 Heterogenous Mixtures (Suspension)
A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture in
which the composition is not uniform throughout
the mixture. An example of heterogeneous mixture
is muddy water. We can separate this mixture
through filtration, because the size of the
suspended particles are relatively big.
 Separating Mixtures
Mixtures can be physically separated
by using methods that use differences in
physical properties to separate the
components of the mixture, such as
evaporation, distillation, filtration and
chromatography, etc. Which separation
method used when attempting to separate a
mixture depends on what kind of mixture it is
(what states of matter are present) and on the
physical properties of the components.
 Magnetic Attraction
Magnetic separation means separating
mixtures of two solids with one part which has
magnetic properties. It is based on the
difference in magnetic and non-magnetic
substances. In the mixture of iron and sulfur,
iron particles get attracted to the magnet and
separates from non-magnetic substances.
Mixtures containing substances that are
attracted by magnets can be separated using a
magnet. We can separate iron from a mixture of
sand and iron, as only the iron is attracted to the
magnet.
 Filtration

Filtration is technically defined as the

process of separating suspended solid matter
from a liquid, by causing the latter to pass
through the pores of a membrane, called a
filter.
 Filtration
The most common example is making
tea. While preparing tea, a filter or a sieve is
used to separate tea leaves from the water.
Through the sieve pores, only water will pass.
The liquid which has obtained after filtration is
called the filtrate; in this case, water is the
filtrate. The filter can be a paper, cloth, cotton-
wool, asbestos, slag- or glass-wool, unglazed
earthenware, sand, or any other porous
material.
 Evaporation

Evaporation is the process by which

water (and other liquids) changes from a liquid
state to a vapor or gas state. Evaporation is
great for separating a mixture (solution) of a
soluble solid such a table salt and a solvent such
as water. The process involves heating the
solution until the solvent evaporates (turns into
a gas), leaving behind the solid residue.
 Distillation
Distillation is the process of
separating the components of a liquid
mixture through selective evaporation
and condensation. It is basically the
process of heating the liquid to form
vapors, and then condensing the vapors
in order to get back the liquid. The liquid
that is obtained by performing the
condensation of vapor is called the
distillate.
 Chromatography
Chromatography is a method
used to separate the different
components in a liquid mixture. This
method is based on the different
properties of compounds in two phases:
stationary and mobile phase. Mixtures
that are suitable for separation by
chromatography include inks, dyes and
coloring agents in food.
 Physical Properties of Matter
A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that can be
observed or measured without changing the identity of the substance.
Silver is a shiny metal that conducts electricity very well. It can be
molded into thin sheets, a property called malleability. Salt is dull and
brittle and conducts electricity when it has been dissolved into water,
which it does quite easily. Physical properties of matter include color,
hardness, malleability, solubility, electrical conductivity, density, melting
point, and boiling point.
 Chemical Properties of Matter
Chemical properties of matter describe its potential to undergo
some chemical change or reaction by virtue of its composition. The
elements, electrons, and bonds that are present give the matter
potential for chemical change. It is quite difficult to define a chemical
property without using the word "change". Eventually, after studying
chemistry for some time, you should be able to look at the formula of a
compound and state some chemical property. For example, hydrogen
has the potential to ignite and explode given the right conditions—this is
a chemical property. Metals in general have the chemical property of
reacting with an acid.
 Physical Change
Physical change is a change of matter
which does not produce new material. Physical
changes involve states of matter and energy. No
new substance is created during a physical
change, although the matter takes a different
form. The size, shape, and color of matter may
change. Physical changes occur when
substances are mixed but don't chemically react.
One way to identify a physical change is that such
a change may be reversible, especially a phase
change. For example, if you freeze water into an
ice cube, you can melt it into the water again.
 Chemical Change
Chemical change is a change of matter
which forms a new material. Chemical change is
also known as chemical reaction. In a burning
candle, there is a change in the candle’s wick. The
process of burning changes the wick into ashes.
Therefore, a new material is formed, This change
is irreversible, because the ashes cannot turn
back into a wick.
 Chemical Change
All chemical changes are always accompanied by indications. For
example, the burning paper will produce smell and smoke. The indications of
chemical changes can occur slowly or quickly. The other indications
associated with the occurrence of chemical change are :
➢ Explosion and fire
➢ Change in temperature
➢ Change in color
➢ Gas formation
➢ Formation of a precipitate