explain the meaning of the term matter. what are its characteristics.how do the three states of matter differ from each other.what is meant by the term change of state of matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Example book, trees, table etc.
Mass and space are the two characteristics of matter. Mass is the amount of matter in an object and space is the amount place occupied by the object. Matter can be classified based on the (i) according to its state (ii) according to its composition.
There are three states of matter. They are Solid, liquid and gases.
Solid: Here atoms or molecules are arranged strongly bound to one another forming rigid nature. Attractive forces are very strong. They have definite shape and sizes. E.g. ice, diamond, table, book etc.
Liquid: Here atoms or molecules are not strongly bounded as in solids and will have free movement of atoms. They do have attractive forces but not as strong as in solids. They have definite volume but do not have definite shape. They take the shape of the container in which they are kept. E.g. water, alcohol etc.
Gases: Here atoms or molecules are far apart as they are not bounded at all. They do not have attractive forces but only repulsive forces. They do not have definite shape or volume but takes the shape and volume of the container in which they are placed. E.g. oxygen, helium etc.
When one state of matter is converted to another state by heating, cooling, evaporation is called change of state of matter.
For example, Ice is in solid state on heating converted to liquid state. Hence here change of state of matter occurs from solid to liquid.
Water is in liquid state on heating gets evaporated to gaseous state. Hence here change of state of matter occurs from liquid to gases.