Theories of matter

Originally, matter was defined simply as something that takes up space and
has mass. It is all the stuff around us.

On closer examination of matter, at the microscopic level, it was found that matter
was not continuous but was made up of tiny particles in motion. This brought about
the Molecular or Kinetic Theory of Matter.

The Atomic Theory of Matter states that matter consists atoms that make up the
molecules. The Quantum Theory states that the particles of matter can also be in
the form of waves. This is also known as the Wave-Particle Duality.

Particles of matter
Particles of matter start with molecules, which are made up of atoms bound
together by electrical forces.

It was thought that atoms were the smallest units of matter and were
indivisible. However, further experiments showed that atoms were made up
of even smaller subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

It was then found that protons and neutrons where made up of even smaller
particles called quarks. Also, a number of other particles were discovered that were
not part of the atom.

To add to the confusion, experiments showed that electrons and the other
subatomic particles can act as if they were waves. This was called the
particle-wave duality.

Finally, although we call them particles, envisioning tiny little balls, there are
theories that they exist as strings or clouds.

States of matter
Certain materials can exist in several different states or phases, provided the
molecules do not break down or result in a chemical reaction. These phases
depend on the temperature and external pressure on the material. These
states are:

 Solid
 Liquid
 Gas
Liquids and gases are considered fluids. They have a number of
characteristics in common.

There are also some exotic states of matter:

 Plasmas
 Bose-Einstein condensates

Summary
In the study of matter, there are theories about what matter consists of and
how it behaves. Matter can be broken into particles and even waves. There
are different states of matter, depending on temperature and pressure on
the material.

Note that:

 Particles in a:
o gas are well separated with no regular arrangement.
o liquid are close together with no regular arrangement.
o solid are tightly packed, usually in a regular pattern.
 Particles in a:
o gas vibrate and move freely at high speeds.
o liquid vibrate, move about, and slide past each other.
o solid vibrate (jiggle) but generally do not move from place to place.

Liquids and solids are often referred to as condensed phases because the particles are
very close together.

The following table summarizes properties of gases, liquids, and solids and identifies
the microscopic behavior responsible for each property.

Some Characteristics of Gases, Liquids and Solids and the Microscopic

Explanation for the Behavior

gas liquid solid

assumes the shape and assumes the shape of the retains a fixed volume and
volume of its container part of the container shape
particles can move past which it occupies rigid - particles locked
one another particles can move/slide into place
past one another
 compressible not easily compressible not easily compressible
lots of free space between little free space between little free space between
particles particles particles

flows easily flows easily does not flow easily

particles can move past particles can move/slide rigid - particles cannot
one another past one another move/slide past one
another