Everything in the world is made of matter.

But what is matter?

Matter is made from tiny microscope particles called atoms, but we can get smaller than an atom.

An atom is made up of 3 parts, Protons, Neutrons and Electrons.

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States of matter

There are four states of matter.

Solid, liquid, gas and plasma

We see these states all around us. In our bodies, matter exists in all 3 forms (solid, liquid or gas)

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Chemical Formula

The chemical formula describes the composition of compounds and elements.

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Over 2400 years ago, a Greek philosopher called Democritus put forward the idea, that all matter is made of particles. If we break something and continue to break it, we will eventually get to a point where we can’t break it any more. He called these particles ‘atom’

In the 1800’s John Dalton, took Democritus’s idea one step further.

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Physical or chemical change

Everything around us is constantly changing. Matter can’t be created or destroyed but it can be converted.

These changes can either be physical (like cutting a tree down) or chemical (like burning a tree).

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Properties of matter

Matter comes in all different shapes and size. Depending on what it is made from matter can have a different

• Boiling/melting point
• Strength
• Hardness
• Viscosity

And more.

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Kinetic theory of matter

In all 4 states, even a solid, the particles are always moving. This constant movement is called the Kinetic Theory of matter.

This theory explains how we can move from a solid object to a liquid and gas.

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