1.

MATTER

WHAT ARE SUBSTANCES REALLY MADE OF?

Matter is anything which has mass and occupies space. It is believed that all matter is
made up

of tiny particles that are in constant

motion.

Kinetic Theory of Matter

Tiny particles contained in matter, which can be atoms, ions or molecules, are believed to be
in

constant motion because of the kinetic energy they possess. The kinetic / Particulate Theory
of
Matter has four main ideas:

❖ All matter is made up of

particles

❖ The particles are in constant random

motion

❖ There are spaces between the

particles

❖ There are forces of attraction and repulsion between the

particles

The kinetic theory of matter is a very useful model which helps to explain both the
physical

properties of matter and also the differences between the three states of
matter.
Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen
As a
Matter

of

fact!

The amount of kinetic energy held in

matter, is determined by temperature
and the state of matter (solid,
liquid, gas).

Increasing the temperature of a

substance, increases the kinetic
energy. The greater the kinetic energy,
the greater the speed at which the
particles move.

(Coordinators of Grade
9)
September 2012

Page 8
1.1
STATES OF MATTER
Matter can exist in various forms or states. The three states of matter are solid, liquid
and gas.

Matter can change from one physical state to another without changing its chemical
properties. For example

Water as a liquid can be frozen and changed to ice. The particles are still the same. It can
also be

boiled and turned to steam (water vapour). The particles still remain the
same.

Solids

Liquids

Gases
Particles are very close
together
in an orderly fashion. The
forces
of attraction between the particles are strong so that movement is limited to vibrating around a fixed
point

Particles are further apart. The arrangement is less orderly. Forces of attraction are weaker so
particles
are able to slip over each other.

Particles are very far apart and haphazardly arranged. The forces of attraction are weak and so particles
are able to move freely in all
directions.
Below is a table summarizing some properties of
matter.

Property

Volume
Solid

Fixed
Liquid
Fixed
Gas

Variable. Expand to fill

Shape
Fixed
Takes the shape of the
container

Compressibilit
y
Very difficult to
Sligh
t

compress

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of Grade

9)
whole container

Takes the shape of

the
container

Easily
compressed
 September 2012

Page 9
CHANGING STATES

To change from one state to another requires a change in energy. For example, if we want to
change a solid to a liquid, we apply heat. Likewise if we reverse the process - change a liquid
to a solid - we reduce heat.

Below is a diagram showing the processes that occur when changing from one state to the
next.

sublimin
g

boilin
g,
1
1

liquefyin
g,
melting
vaporizi
ng,
evaporat
ing

freezi
ng,
condensi
ng,
‫נו‬

solidfyin
g
 liquefyi
ng

SOLI
D
LIQUI
D
GA
S
molecules held in fixed
molecules packed
close
molecules
widely
pattern but
vibrating
together in a
random
fashion, free to
move
separated,
move at great
speed

Science Let's define

these terms Dictionary
Melting - this is a change from a solid to a liquid. This occurs when solid particles
gain enough kinetic energy and vibrate more vigorously. This causes bond between particles
to break.

Evaporation - this occurs when particles at the surface of the liquid escapes as a gas.
Evaporation can occur at any temperature.

Boiling - boiling differs from evaporation, in that it takes place throughout the liquid.
The temperature remains constant until all particles have changed to a gas

Condensation - this involves a lowering of temperature. Gas particles begin to lose energy
hence bonds begin to form and re-enters in the liquid state.

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of Grade

9)
September
2012

Page 10
Freezing - the energy in the particles are even slower. Particles form a closer bond and
hence form a solid.

Sublimation - when forces of attraction in a solid are weak, the addition of small amount of heat can
cause the solid to go directly to a gas, without passing through the liquid state. Examples of
substances that sublime are: solid carbon dioxide (dry ice), camphor ball (naphthalene), iodine,
ammonium chloride

1.2 THE PARTICULATE THEORIES

There are several phenomena that provide evidence to support the kinetic theory of matter.
These include Diffusion, Osmosis and Brownian motion. Experiments can be done to show
these in the lab.

DIFFUSION

Have

you
you ever dropped "kool aid" crystals in some water and noticed that after awhile, even
 if

do not disturb it, the “kool aid" eventually spreads throughout the water? Or you are able
to

smell food cooking at a fast food restaurant before passing by it? How is
this so?

Well these observations can be explained by the process of diffusion. Diffusion is

the

movement of particles (atoms, ions, molecules) from a region of high concentration (a

lot)

to a region of low concentration (a few), until the particles are evenly distributed.

Diffusion

high concentration

O solute
low concentration

Solute transport is from the left to the right;

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of Grade

9)
September
2012

Page 11
Let's put it to the test!

Aim: To investigate the properties of Matter

Materials: Straw, potassium permanganate, 250 ml beaker, water, petri dish

Prodedure:

1. Half fill a 250 ml beaker with water.

2. place the straw in the beaker until it touches the bottom of the beaker
3. drop one crystal of potassium manganate in the straw, without
moving the
straw.

4. Very carefully remove the straw without disturbing the water as little as
possibl
e.
5. Make observation after 15 - 20 minutes

What have you observed?

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of Grade
9)
September
2012

Page 12
Give a possible explanation for your observation. (rem. the definition of diffusion)

OSMOSIS

Osmosis is a special case of diffusion. It is the movement of water molecules

through a

selectively permeable membrane from a region of high concentration of water molecules,

e.g. a

dilute solution or pure water, to a region of low concentration of water molecules

e.g.
concentrated solution.

Concentrated Dilute sugar

solution
sugar solution

partially
permeable
membrane

sugar molecules
water
molecules
Osmosis

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of Grade

9)
water molecules passes
through not sugar
 September
2012

Page 13
Let's put it to the test!

Aim: To investigate Osmosis

Materials: potato strips ( approx. 4 - 5 cm), 3 250 ml beakers, distilled

water, sodium chloride (salt) solution, ruler, scalpel

Procedure:

1. Cut six pieces of potato into strips of equal lengths. Measure and
record the
lengt
h.
2. Label 3, 250 ml beakers A, B and C
respectively.
3. Place 2 strips of the potato in each
beaker.
4. To Beaker A 2 fill with distilled water.
 5. To beaker B & fill with sodium chloride solution.

6. To Beaker C, do not add anything. This is going to be used as your control.

7. Allow strips to remain for 20 - 30 minutes.
8. Remove the strips from the solution, then feel the texture and make a note.
9. Measure and record the lengths of the strips.

A
B
C

Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of

Grade 9)
September 2012

Page 14
What have you observed?

Beaker

Beaker A

size
 firmness
Before
After

texture

Beaker B

size

firmness

texture

Beaker C - control

size

firmness

texture

Table showing the size, firmness and texture of potato strips before and after
being placed in solutions.

a. Explain the difference observed in potato strips placed in the distilled water. Consider
the
direction in which the water molecules will flow.

b. Explain the difference in the strips placed in the sodium chloride

solution.
Created by: Ms. N. Francis & Mr. K. Bowen (Coordinators of
Grade 9)
September
2012

Page 15