Chapter - 1

Matter in our
Surroundings
Physical Nature of Matter
The matter is defined as the objects which have mass and
occupy a certain space. Some of the examples of matter are
shown below:

4 Physical nature of Matter:

The matter is made up of millions of tiny
particles.
The particle of one type of matter is different from the
particle of another type of matter.

Tip: Smell is an abstract concept and not matter. But,

smell of any substance is matter as it is gaseous form
of a substance which has mass and occupy space
 Characteristics of Particles
of Matter
» The particles of matter have spaces between them.
For example, the formation of the sugar solution. When we
make sugar solution, the particles of one type
of matter get into the spaces between particles of the other.
This shows that there is enough space between particles of
matter.
m The particles of matter are continuously

moving. For example , mixing of ink in

water.

Particles of matter are continuously moving and they possess

kinetic energy. As the temperature rises, particles move faster.
This mea ns that with an increase in temperature the kinetic
energy of the particles also increases.
For example, sugar dissolves faster in hot water than in cold
water.
» The particles of matter attract each other.
For example, chalk has a rigid structure.

uestion : A diver is able to cut through water in a

swimming pool.
Which property of matter does this observation show?

Answer: This shows that the particles of water has

space between them and nave weal‹ intermolecular
force of attraction between them.
 States of Matter

Matter

Solid Liquid Gas

4 Solid:
The particles of solid are very close to each other. They have
negligible
spaces between them and they vibrate at their place.
The most important properties of solid are as follow:
(a) The particles of solid have a strong intermolecular force
of attraction between them.
(b) The solid has a fixed shape and volume.

(c) The solid cannot take the shape of the container.

(d) The solids have a rigid structure.

(e) The solids are incompressible.

Special case:
1. Sponge has tiny holes
which trapes the air But
we compress it, it is
actually expelling the air
out.
 2. Rubber band can change
its shape by stretching
and can regain after
removing force.
3. When you rotate the
hourglass, the sand flows
like a liquid. When you
observe each particle in
isolation , you will find
that each particle has a
fixed shape. So, when a
large amount of the
sand is poured, it will
look like it is flowing.

4 Liquid
The particles of liquids are slightly far from each other.
So, the forces of attraction between the particles are not so
strong and particles can move freely.
» They have little space between them. So, this gives us the
most important properties of liquid which are as follow:
(a) The particles of liquid have the intermediate
intermolecular force of attraction between them.

(b) The liquid has no fixed shape but a fixed volume.

(c) The liquid can take the shape of the container.

(d) The liquid has no rigid structure.

(e)The liquids are incompressible.
(f) The liquids can flow easily.
 Question: Liquids generally have lower density as
compared to solids. But you must have observed
that ice floats on water. Find out why.

Answer: The ice is solid, but it has low density than

water because of the cage like structure of ice. It
has lot of spaces between them, so it floats on
water.

4 Gas:
The particles of gas are very far from each other. So,
the forces of attraction between the particles are weak
and particles can move freely in all directions.
They have a lot of spaces between them. So, this gives
us the most important properties of gas which are as
follow:
(a) The particles of gas have a weak intermolecular force
of attraction
between them.
(b) The gas has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume.
(c) The gas can take the shape of the container.
(d) The gas has no rigid structure.
(e) The gas is compressible.
(f) The gases can flow easily.
 Diffusion

• The process of intermixing of particles of two different types of

Matter is called diffusion.

• The order for the rate of diffusion in different states of

matter:
GAS > LIQUID > SOLID

• The rate of diffusion increases with an increase in temperature.

• This is because when you increase the

temperature, the kinetic energy of the particles
increases and they mix into others quickly.

Question: Arrange the following substances in increasing

order of forces of attraction between the particles—
water, sugar, oxygen.
Solution: The forces of attraction is strong in solid and
weak in gas. Sugar is solid, water is liquid and oxygen is
gas. So, the order of forces of attraction between the
particles is:
Oxygen < Water < Sugar
Can Matter change its State?
Change of State
Liquid
 Gas

Water
Vapour

100
ice

0C
100° C
Freezing
Cooling
 Condensing

There are three states of matter and these states of matter can
interconvert into each other.

(a) Melting or Fusion:

The process in which the substance changes its state from

solid to liquid is called Melting or Fusion. The temperature
at which the solid starts converting into a liquid at
atmospheric pressure is called Melting point. For example,
the melting of ice cream.
(b)Vaporization:

The process in which the substance changes its state from liquid
to gas is called vaporization. The temperature at which the
liquid Starts converting into a gas at atmospheric pressure is
called the boiling point. For example, the formation of steam.

(c) Freezing or Solidification:

The process in which the substance changes its state from

liquid to solid is called solidification or freezing. For example,
the formation of ice.

(d)Sublimation:
The process in which the substance changes its state from
solid to gas is called sublimation. For example, sublimation
of dry ice.
(e)Condensation:

The process in which the substance changes its state from gas
to liquid is called condensation. For example, the formation of
water droplets on the cold surface.

(f) Deposition:
The process in which the substance changes its state from gas
to solid is called deposition. For example, the formation of frost
on the leaves.

4 Effect of temperature:
When the temperature of the matter is increased, the kinetic
energy of the particles of matter also increases. Due to the
increase in kinetic energy, the particles of matter start
vibrating with greater speed and move freely.

When the temperature of the matter is decreased, the kinetic

energy of the particles of matter also decreases. Due to the
decrease in kinetic energy, the particles of matter start
coming closer and developing stronger intermolecular
vibration. Hence, the particle restricts their motion

The relation of the Kelvin and Celsius scales is shown below :

T(K} = T(°C) + 273.15

Concept of Latent Heat

It is the heat required to disrupt the force of attraction

between the particles of matter by keeping the temperature
constant. The amount of heat energy that is required to change
1 kg of a solid into liquid at atmospheric pressure at its
melting point is known as the latent heat of fusion.
Fur example, Ice has a large latent heat of fusion than water.

The amount of heat energy that is required to change 1

mole of a liquid into a gas at atmospheric pressure at its
melting [Point is known as the latent heat of vaporization.

For example, the steam has high latent heat of vaporization than
boiling water.

Question: Why steam cause severe burn than hot water?

 Solution: The steam has more heat than water. This heat is
called latent heat of vaporization. That is why steam
burns mare than hot water.

4 Effect of pressure:
The gases have the most space between their particles and solid
have the least. So, soli ds and liquids are incompressible and
have the negligible effect of pressure change on their change in
state.
When the pressure of the gas is increased, the kinetic energy of the
molecule is decreased and the speed of the molecule also
decreased. So, the molecule starts coming close to each other
and developing a stronger force of attraction between them.

The most important application of this phenomenon is the

formation of LPG and CNG. They are a mixture of
hydrocarbons which are filled in a small container at high
pressure.

Evaporation
Evaporation is the process in which the liquid state changes to
a gas state when it is heated at any temperature below its
boiling point.
» Factors affecting Evaporation:
(a)Surface area:
The rate of evaporation increases with an increase in surface
area. For example, the water on the road dries up quickly as
compared to water in a pothole.
(b)Temperature:
The increase in temperature will increase the rate of
evaporation. For example, wet clothes dry quickly in the hot
summer than in winter.
(c) Wind speed:
The increase in wind speed will increase the rate of evaporation.
For example, wet hair dries quickly when you blow-dry it.

(d) Humidity:

The increase in humidity will decrease the rate of evaporation.

For example, drying your wet clothes on a hot humid day takes
a lot of time to dry than on a hot dry day.
Cooling effect:

• The particles of liquid need certain energy.

• So, the particle of liquid take this energy from the

surrounding and make the surrounding cooler.

• This is called a cooling effect by evaporation.

• The common application of cooling effect is perspiration.

Because of the same reason we wear cotton clothes
during summer as cotton absorbs sweat quickly and
exposed them to the atmosphere for easy
evaporation.

Question: Explain why does a desert cooler cool better on a

hot dry day. Solution: The outer wall of the cooler is

sprinkled by water constantly,

which evaporate due to hot dry weather. This causes the
cooling of air which is inside the cooler. The fan sent these
cool air inside the room.