Matter and Materials – Detailed Answers
Q1. Define the term 'matter'. Give three states of matter with examples.
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. The three main states are solid (e.g.,
ice), liquid (e.g., water), and gas (e.g., oxygen).
Q2. What is the difference between a physical and a chemical change? Provide
examples.
A physical change affects form but not chemical composition (e.g., melting ice), while a
chemical change creates a new substance (e.g., rusting iron).
Q3. Describe how particles behave in solids, liquids, and gases.
In solids, particles are tightly packed and vibrate in place. In liquids, they are close but move
freely. In gases, they are far apart and move rapidly.
Q4. Explain solubility and provide an example of a substance that is soluble in
water.
Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent. Salt is soluble in water.
Q5. What is density? How can you determine the density of an object?
Density is mass per unit volume (Density = Mass/Volume). Measure the mass and divide it
by the volume to find density.
Q6. What are the signs of a chemical change? List at least three.
Signs include color change, temperature change, gas production, or a new substance
forming (e.g., bubbling, rusting, burning).
Q7. Give two examples each of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
Homogeneous: salt water, air. Heterogeneous: salad, sand and iron filings.
Q8. What is the law of conservation of mass? Explain with an example.
Mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction. Example: Burning wood – total
mass of ash, gases, and smoke equals original wood and oxygen.
Q9. How does temperature affect the solubility of substances?
Higher temperatures usually increase solubility, making substances dissolve faster.
Q10. What is a solution? Provide an example and label the solute and solvent.
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent. Example: saltwater –
salt is the solute, water is the solvent.
Q11. What is conduction?
Conduction is the transfer of heat or electricity through a material.
Q12. Name one material that is a good conductor of heat and one that is an
insulator.
Good conductor: copper. Insulator: plastic.
Q13. Why is aluminum used to make cooking pots?
Aluminum is lightweight, conducts heat well, and resists corrosion, making it ideal for
cooking pots.
Q14. What happens to the particles in a substance when it melts or boils?
Particles move faster and spread out when melting or boiling, changing state from solid to
liquid to gas.
Q15. Why do some objects float in water while others sink?
Objects float if they are less dense than water; they sink if denser.
Q16. What is filtration? Describe a real-life situation where this method is used.
Filtration separates solids from liquids using a filter. Example: using a coffee filter to
remove coffee grounds from brewed coffee.
Q17. Explain how you would separate sand, salt, and iron filings from a mixture.
Use a magnet to remove iron filings, dissolve salt in water, then filter out sand, and
evaporate water to get salt.
Q18. Why is it important to understand the properties of materials?
Understanding properties helps us choose suitable materials for different uses, such as
using rubber for waterproof boots.
Q19. What is viscosity? How does it vary between liquids like water and honey?
Viscosity is a liquid’s resistance to flow. Honey has high viscosity, while water has low
viscosity.
Q20. List three properties of metals and three of non-metals.
Metals: shiny, good conductors, malleable. Non-metals: dull, poor conductors, brittle.
Q21. Define solubility and give one example from daily life.
Solubility is the ability to dissolve. Example: sugar dissolving in tea.
Q22. Which change of state turns a solid directly into a gas?
c) Sublimation
Q23. What is the mitochondria?
The mitochondria is the part of the cell that produces energy through cellular respiration.
Q24. How are gases different from liquids and solids?
Gases have no fixed shape or volume and expand to fill their container. Liquids have a fixed
volume but take the shape of their container. Solids have fixed shapes and volumes.
Q25. What is a homogenous mixture?
A homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout, like salt dissolved in water.