Understanding What Matter Is
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Everything you can touch, see, or feel—like air, water, and objects—is made of matter.
States of Matter
Matter commonly exists as solids, liquids, and gases. Solids keep their shape, liquids flow and take the shape of their container, and gases spread out freely.
What Matter Is Made Of
All matter is made of tiny particles called atoms. These atoms join together to form molecules, which make up everything around us.
How Matter Changes State
When matter is heated or cooled, it can change state. Ice melts into water, water evaporates into vapor, and gases can condense back into liquids.
Examples of Matter
Air, rocks, plants, water, metals, and even your own body are matter. Anything that occupies space and has mass fits the definition.
Why Matter Matters
Understanding matter helps explain how the physical world works—from how objects behave to how energy interacts with them.
The Simple Takeaway
Matter is the physical “stuff” of the universe. It has mass, takes up space, and exists in different states that change with temperature and energy.