Matter, derived from the Latin materia, is a type of mass-energy. ^[1] The definition of matter is anything which has mass and occupies space. This definition can be expanded by the classifying the matter as mixtures or pure substances and relate the different models of an atom's structure to matter. Matter is also found in different forms (called phases or states of matter).

States of Matter

The six different forms of matter are; solids, liquids, gas, plasma, filament, and Bose-Einstein. The properties of solids are that these solids have a definite shape, volume, and mass.^{[2] [3]} The properties of liquids are that these liquids have definite mass and volume, but not a definite shape. ^[3] Gas doesn't have a definite shape, mass, or volume. ^[3]

Historical Overview

The concept of matter has changed dramatically over the past two centuries. First matter consists of a basic substances, the element, with defined physical and chemical properties. Initially, atoms were believed to the be the basic building blocks of matter. With the discovery of different subatomic particles, the complexity of the atom created debates regarding its structure. The latest model of the atom is the Standard Model.

Atomic Models

As previously stated, models of the atom has changed the years. The original model can be traced back to ancient Greece.

Atomic models allow chemists to explain, describe, and predict scientific results. ^[4] A model is a representation of a set of observations and may be physical or visual.

Further Reading

Particle Physics

References

Popular Articles	Newest Articles	Latest Scientists
Periodic Table Elements Balancing chemical equations Scientific Method History of Chemistry Math Skills Chemical Bonds Classification of Matter Polyatomics Carbon	Molality Learning chemistry Nuclear decay Photoelectric effect Acids Solute Specific heat Catalyst Duet rule Octet rule	Henry Moseley Jean Baptiste Perrin Evangelista Torricelli Antoine Lavoisier Clemens Winkler Henri Becquerel Friedrich Wöhler Henri Louis Le Chatelier Josiah Willard Gibbs Benjamin Thompson

Latest Article Edits on Wiki

Molar Mass Uncertainty Scientific notation Measurements Tools Lab safety Scientific Method Instructors SI Units Heiny SI Units Base Ellis Chemistry Labs Ellis Handouts Ellis Physics Labs Ellis Ellis Physics Course Outline Ellis Chemistry Course Outline Candle Activity Getting organized Composition book Labs Video Lab 001 Stockdale Course Syllabus Ellis Notebook Pages Chemistry Policies Learning chemistry Why learn chemistry Electron configurations Inorganic nomenclature