Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. It is the "stuff" that makes up everything in the universe, including solids, liquids, gases, and even plasma.
Properties of Matter
Matter has several properties that can be used to classify and describe it:
- Mass: The amount of matter in an object.
- Volume: The amount of space that matter occupies.
- Density: The mass of a substance per unit volume.
- State: Whether a substance is a solid, liquid, gas, or plasma.
- Physical properties: Characteristics that can be observed or measured without changing the composition of the substance, such as color, shape, and texture.
- Chemical properties: Characteristics that describe the ability of a substance to undergo chemical reactions and form new substances.
States of Matter
Matter can exist in different states, depending on the arrangement of its particles:
- Solid: Particles are tightly packed together and vibrate in place.
- Liquid: Particles are close together but can move past each other.
- Gas: Particles are far apart and move freely.
- Plasma: A high-energy state of matter in which particles are ionized and can conduct electricity.
Changes in Matter
Matter can undergo physical and chemical changes:
- Physical change: A change in the form or state of matter without changing its chemical composition, such as melting, freezing, or evaporating.
- Chemical change: A change in the chemical composition of matter, resulting in the formation of new substances, such as burning, rusting, or digesting food.
Study Tips
When studying matter, it's important to:
- Memorize the properties of matter and be able to differentiate between physical and chemical properties.
- Understand the concept of density and how it relates to mass and volume.
- Learn the characteristics of each state of matter and the changes that can occur between them.
- Practice identifying examples of matter and its properties in everyday life.
- Review and understand the different ways matter can change and the evidence of these changes.
[Matter] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:
.◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Seventh Grade. Ecosystems, food chains and food webs
Study Guide
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs 
Activity Lesson
Ecosystems, Food Chains & Food Webs Worksheet/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Worksheet/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Worksheet/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Vocabulary/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Vocabulary/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Vocabulary/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Vocabulary/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs Vocabulary/Answer key
Ecosystems, food chains and food webs
Activity LessonWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyWorksheet/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyVocabulary/Answer keyThe resources above cover the following skills:
LIFE SCIENCE
Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Examine the cycling of matter between abiotic and biotic parts of ecosystems to explain the flow of energy and the conservation of matter.
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence regarding how resource availability impacts individual organisms as well as populations of organisms within an ecosystem.
Construct an explanation to predict patterns of interactions in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships between and among organisms (e.g., competition, predation, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism).
Engage in argument to defend the effectiveness of a design solution that maintains biodiversity and ecosystem services (e.g., using scientific, economic, and social considerations regarding purifying water, recycling nutrients, preventing soil erosion).