Matter In Our Surroundings

Introduction

ØDefinition of Matter:  Ø Everything in this universe is made up of material known as matter. Thus any substance which occupies space and has mass is called matter.

Example: air we breathe, water we drink, wood, book etc.

Ø
We can see large number of things of different shapes, sizes as well as textures around us. In our day to day life we use many things which are around us.  

For example food, water, air etc.

Thus things like friendship, love, affection, good manners , thoughts, taste, smell etc. are not considered as matter as they do not occupy space and do not have mass.

Note:

 The two primary conditions for “something” to be called “matter” are

(a) It should “occupy space“                 (b) It should “have mass”.

ØTheories on classification of matter: Matter can be classified in number of ways;

«Theory as per Early Indian philosophers: According to the Early Indian philosophers all matter (known as padarth in hindi), living or non-living were made up of five basic elements namely 
air, earth, fire, sky(space) and water( panch tatva) .

«Theory as per modern day scientists: They classify matter in two ways:

ðOn the basis of physical properties:  
As per this theory, matter can be classified as solids, liquids and gases.

ðOn the basis of chemical properties:  
As per this theory, matter can be classified as elements, compounds and mixtures.