CHAPTER -1
Matter in our Surroundings
Intext questions
Exercise-1.1-1.2 Page: 3
1. Which of the following are matter?
2. Chair, air, love, smell, hate, almonds, thought, cold, lemon water, the smell of
perfume
The following substances are matter:
Chair
Air
Almonds
Lemon water
The smell of perfume (Smell is considered as a matter due to the presence of some
volatile substances in air that occupy space & have mass.)
2. Give reasons for the following observation:
The smell of hot sizzling food reaches you several meters away, but to get the
smell from cold food, you have to go close.
Solution:
Particles in the air, if fueled with higher temperatures, acquire high kinetic energy, which
aids them to move fast over a stretch. Hence, the smell of hot sizzling food reaches a
person even at a distance of several meters.
3. A diver is able to cut through water in a swimming pool. Which property of
matter does this observation show?
Solution:
The diver is able to easily cut through the water in the swimming pool because of the
weak forces of attraction between water molecules. It is this property of water that
attributes to easy diving.
4. What are the characteristics of the particles of matter?
Solution:
The characteristics of particles of matter are as follows:
(a) Presence of intermolecular spaces between particles
(b) Particles are in constant motion
(c) They attract each other
(d) All matter is composed of very small particles which can exist independently.
Exercise-1.3 Page: 6
1. The mass per unit volume of a substance is called density.
(density=mass/volume). Arrange the following in the order of increasing density –
air, exhaust from the chimneys, honey, water, chalk, cotton and iron.
Solution:
The following substances are arranged in increasing density:
Air
Exhaust from chimney
Cotton
Water
Honey
Chalk
Iron
2. Answer the following.
a) Tabulate the differences in the characteristics of matter.
b) Comment upon the following: rigidity, compressibility, fluidity, filling a gas
container, shape, kinetic energy and density.
Solution:
(a) The difference in the characteristics of the three states of matter.
Character Solid Liquid Gas
istics
Shape Fixed No Fixed No Fixed
shape shape shape
Volume Fixed Fixed No Fixed
volume volume volume
Intermolec Maximum Less than Very less
ular force solids
Intermolec Very less More than maximum
ular space solids
Rigidity/Fl Rigid/can Can Can
uidity not flow flow/not flow/not
rigid rigid
Compressi negligible compressi Highly
bility ble compressi
ble
(b) (i) Rigidity: It is the property of matter to continue to remain in its shape when
treated
with an external force.
(ii) Compressibility: It is the attribute of the particles to contract their intermolecular
space when
exposed to an external force, thereby escalating its density.
(iii) Fluidity: It is the ability of a substance to flow or move about freely.
(iv) Filling the gas container: The particles in a container take their shape as they
randomly vibrate in all possible directions.
(v) Shape: It is the definite structure of an object within an external boundary
(vi) Kinetic energy: Motion allows particles to possess energy which is referred to as
kinetic energy. The increasing order of kinetic energy possessed by various states of
matter are:
Solids < Liquids < Gases
Mathematically, it can be expressed as K.E = 1/2 mv2, where ‘m’ is the mass and ‘v’ is
the velocity of the particle.
(vii) Density: It is the mass of a unit volume of a substance. It is expressed as:
d = M/V, where ‘d’ is the density, ‘M’ is the mass and ‘V’ is the volume of the substance
3. Give reasons
a) A gas fills completely the vessel in which it is kept.
b) A gas exerts pressure on the walls of the container.
c) A wooden table should be called a solid.
d) We can easily move our hand in the air, but to do the same through a solid block
of wood, we need a karate expert.
Solution:
(a) There is a low force of attraction between gas particles. The particles in the filled
vessel are free to move about.
(b) Gaseous particles have the weakest attraction force. They are always moving in a
haphazard manner. When a gas particle collides with the container’s walls, it exerts
force and, thus pressure on the wall.
(c) There is a distinct contour and volume to the hardwood table. The wood particles are
tightly packed. They do not conform to the container’s shape. As a result, the solid
features of a hardwood table are satisfied.
(d) The boundaries between air particles are quite loose. They are a long way apart and
have a lot of space between them. As a result, we may move our hands freely in the air.
The particles in a solid block, on the other hand, are bound together by a strong force of
attraction. As a result, there is either some or no space between them. As a result, we
will require a karate expert.
4. Liquids generally have a lower density than solids. But you must have observed
that ice floats on water. Find out why.
Solution:
In general, the volume of a liquid is more than the volume of a solid because liquid
particles are freer to move, resulting in more volume. Ice, on the other hand, has a
maximum density of water at 4 degrees Celsius. Ice is lighter than water and has a lower
density. As a result, it floats on water.
Exercise – 1.4 Page: 9
1. Convert the following temperature to Celsius scale:
a. 300K b. 573K
Solution:
a. 0°C=273K
300K= (300-273)°C = 27°C
b. 573K= (573-273)°C = 300°C
2. What is the physical state of water at:
a. 250°C b. 100°C ?
Solution:
(a) At 250°C – Gaseous state since it is beyond its boiling point.
(b) At 100°C – It is at the transition state as the water is at its boiling point. Hence it
would be present in both liquid and gaseous states.
3. For any substance, why does the temperature remain constant during the
change of state?
Solution:
It is due to the latent heat as the heat supplied to increase the temperature of the
substance is used up to transform the state of matter of the substance; hence, the
temperature stays constant.
4. Suggest a method to liquify atmospheric gases.
Solution:
It can be achieved by either increasing the pressure or decreasing the temperature,
which ultimately leads to the reduction of spaces between molecules.
Exercise – 1.5 Page:10
1. Why does a desert cooler cool better on a hot dry day?
Solution:
It is because the temperature is high and less humid on a hot dry day, enabling better
evaporation. High levels of this evaporation provide better cooling effects.
2. How does the water kept in an earthen pot (matka) become cool during
summer?
Solution:
An earthen pot is porous in nature. These tiny pores facilitate the penetration of water
and hence their evaporation from the pot surface. The process of evaporation requires
energy which is contributed by water in the pot as a result of which water turns cooler.
[Link] does our palm feel cold when we put on some acetone or petrol, or perfume
on it?
Solution:
Acetone, petrol, and perfume are volatile substances that evaporate when they come in
contact with air. Evaporation is facilitated as it uses energy from the palm, hence
leaving a cooling effect on our palms.
4. Why are we able to sip hot tea or milk faster from a saucer rather than a cup?
Solution:
A saucer has a larger surface area than a cup, promoting quicker evaporation. Hence,
the tea or milk in a saucer cools down faster.
5. What type of clothes should we wear in summer?
Solution:
In summer, it is preferred to wear light-coloured cotton clothes because light colour
reflects heat and cotton materials have pores that absorb sweat, facilitating
evaporation, and hence causing a cooling effect on the skin.