Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REVIEW NOTES (GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1)

Lesson 1: Matter and Its Properties

Properties of Matter
1. Physical Properties of Matter
Physical properties are observable, easily measurable, and don’t depend on an object’s
chemical nature. For instance, when you tear a piece of paper, its chemical composition
remains unaltered.

Some examples of physical properties of matter are shape, colour, length, temperature, density,
hardness, electrical conductivity, etc.

2. Chemical Properties of Matter

Chemical properties involve alteration in the composition or molecular structure of a
substance. These properties include explosiveness, flammability, toxicity, acidity, etc.

Acidity is the chemical property of substances by which they react with various acids. A few types of
matter (metals) form new compounds by reacting with acids.

Flammability is a chemical property of a substance that indicates its proneness to burn. Examples of
such types of matter are paper, wood, etc.

In general, alterations in the chemical properties of matter are irreversible. For instance, when you
burn wood, it changes into ashes which can’t turn back into the wood. Thus, the chemical change that
converted wood into ashes is irreversible.

3. Thermal Properties of Matter

The way a matter reacts to heat exposure depends on its thermal properties. The four
significant components of thermal characteristics of matter are –

Thermal conductivity: Thermal conductivity is the ability of a matter to pass heat through them.
Examples of matter with good thermal conductivity are aluminium, copper, etc.

Thermal stress: The expansion of matter due to exposure to heat creates certain stress, often known
as thermal stress.

Heat capacity: It is the quantity of heat needed to increase the temperature of matter by one degree.
Thermal expansion: The expansion of matter due to exposure to heat is thermal expansion.

4. Extensive Properties
Extensive properties do depend on the amount of matter that is present. An extensive property
is considered additive for subsystems. Examples of extensive properties include:

Volume Mass Size Weight Length

5. Intensive Properties
Intensive properties are bulk properties, which means they do not depend on the amount of
matter that is present. Examples of intensive properties include:

Boiling Point Density State of Matter

Color Melting Point Odor
Temperature Refractive Index Luster
Hardness Ductility Malleability

Intensive properties can be used to help identify a sample because these characteristics do not depend
on the amount of sample, nor do they change according to conditions.

REVIEW NOTES (GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1)

Lesson 1 : Matter and Its Properties

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
1. Solid:

• Characteristics:
• Particles are closely packed in a fixed, orderly arrangement.
• Definite shape and volume.
• Particles vibrate in place but do not move from their positions.
• Examples:
• Ice: Water molecules arranged in a crystalline structure.
• Iron: Atoms arranged in a regular lattice.
• Diamond: Carbon atoms in a tetrahedral structure.

2. Liquid:
• Characteristics:
• Particles are close together but not in fixed positions.
• Takes the shape of its container.
• Has a definite volume.
• Particles move past each other.
• Examples:
• Water: Molecules move freely, allowing it to flow.
• Mercury: Metal that remains liquid at room temperature.
• Oil: Flows and takes the shape of its container.
3. Gas:
• Characteristics:
• Particles are far apart and move freely.
• No definite shape or volume.
• Expands to fill the container it occupies.
• Examples:
• Oxygen gas: Consists of oxygen molecules moving freely.
• Helium gas: Individual helium atoms moving independently.
• Steam: Gaseous water when heated.

4. Plasma:
• Characteristics:
• Consists of positively charged ions and free electrons.
• Occurs at high temperatures.
• Responds strongly to electric and magnetic fields.
• Examples:
• The Sun: Composed mainly of ionized hydrogen and helium.
• Fluorescent lights: Plasma is used to produce light.
• Lightning: A natural example of plasma.

5. Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC):

• Characteristics:
• Occurs at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero.
• Particles occupy the same quantum state.
• Behaves as a single quantum entity.
• Examples:
• Created in laboratories using ultra-cold atoms, like rubidium or sodium.
• Typically observed in small systems due to the challenging temperature requirements.

1. Which state of matter has particles that

are closely packed in a fixed, orderly 2. In which state of matter do particles
arrangement? move past each other but are not in
Answer: A) Solid fixed positions?
Explanation: Solids have particles that are Answer: B) Liquid
arranged in a fixed, orderly manner, with little Explanation: Liquids have particles that are
to no space between them. This arrangement close together but not in fixed positions. This
gives solids a definite shape and volume. allows liquids to flow and take the shape of
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Department of Education
their container while still maintaining a definite 9. Which type of property of matter involves
volume. observable, easily measurable
characteristics independent of chemical
3. What state of matter occurs at extremely nature?
low temperatures, close to absolute Answer: A) Physical Properties of Matter
zero? Explanation: Physical properties are observable
Answer: C) Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) and easily measurable characteristics of matter
Explanation: BEC occurs at temperatures very that do not depend on its chemical nature,
close to absolute zero, where particles occupy such as color, shape, length, and density.
the same quantum state and behave as a single
quantum entity with unique properties.
10. Which type of property of matter
4. Which state of matter consists of involves alterations in the composition
positively charged ions and free or molecular structure of a substance?
electrons? Answer: C) Chemical Properties of Matter
Answer: D) Plasma Explanation: Chemical properties involve
Explanation: Plasma consists of positively alterations in the composition or molecular
charged ions and free electrons, resulting in a structure of a substance, such as flammability
highly conductive state of matter that responds and acidity.
strongly to electric and magnetic fields.
11. Which property of matter indicates
5. Which state of matter has particles that proneness to burn?
are far apart and move freely? Answer: D) Flammability
Answer: E) Gas Explanation: Flammability is a chemical
Explanation: Gases have particles that are far property of matter that indicates its proneness
apart and move freely, allowing them to expand to burn.
to fill the container they occupy and to diffuse
readily. 12. Thermal conductivity is associated with
which type of property of matter?
6. Which state of matter responds strongly Answer: E) Thermal Properties of Matter
to electric and magnetic fields? Explanation: Thermal conductivity is a thermal
Answer: H) Plasma property of matter that indicates its ability to
Explanation: Plasma responds strongly to pass heat through it.
electric and magnetic fields due to its ionized
nature, making it useful in various 13. Which type of property of matter
technological applications such as in plasma depends on the amount of matter
TVs and fusion research. present?
Answer: F) Extensive Properties
7. What happens to the volume of a gas Explanation: Extensive properties of matter,
when its container is increased in size? such as volume and mass, depend on the
Answer: I) It expands amount of matter present.
Explanation: When the container of a gas is
increased in size, the gas particles spread out 14. Which property of matter does not
to fill the larger volume, resulting in expansion. depend on the amount of matter
present?
Answer: G) Density
8. At what temperature does plasma Explanation: Density is an intensive property of
typically occur? matter that does not depend on the amount of
Answer: J) High temperatures matter present.
Explanation: Plasma typically occurs at high
temperatures where atoms are ionized due to 15. Which property of matter is additive for
the input of energy, such as in stars, lightning, subsystems?
and certain man-made devices like plasma TVs. Answer: J) Volume
Explanation: Volume is an extensive property
of matter that is additive for subsystems.

Identifications:

1. Solid: Identified as the state of matter characterized by particles closely packed in a fixed, orderly
arrangement.
2. Liquid: Identified as the state of matter where particles move past each other but are not in fixed
positions.
3. Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC): Identified as the state of matter occurring at extremely low
temperatures, close to absolute zero.
4. Plasma: Identified as the state of matter consisting of positively charged ions and free electrons.
5. Gas: Identified as the state of matter where particles are far apart and move freely.
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Department of Education
6. Mercury: Identified as an example of a substance that remains in a liquid state at room
temperature.
7. Plasma: Identified as the state of matter that responds strongly to electric and magnetic fields.
8. It expands: Identified as what happens to the volume of a gas when its container is increased in
size.
9. High temperatures: Identified as the temperature range at which plasma typically occurs.
10. Steam: Identified as an example of a substance that is not a solid.
11. Physical Properties of Matter: Identified as the type of property of matter involving observable,
easily measurable characteristics independent of chemical nature.
12. Color: Identified as an example of a physical property of matter.
13. Chemical Properties of Matter: Identified as the type of property of matter involving alterations in
the composition or molecular structure of a substance.
14. Flammability: Identified as a property of matter that indicates proneness to burn.
15. Thermal Properties of Matter: Identified as the type of property of matter associated with thermal
conductivity.
16. Mass: Identified as a property of matter that depends on the amount of matter present.
17. Boiling Point: Identified as an example of an intensive property of matter.
18. Refractive Index: Identified as a property of matter that can help identify a sample because it
does not change according to conditions.
19. Volume: Identified as a property of matter that is additive for subsystems.
20. Size: Identified as an example of an extensive property of matter.

Essay Questions:

1. Discuss the role and significance of plasma in the universe.

Explanation: Plasma plays a crucial role in the universe, constituting the majority of visible matter. It
is found in stars, including our Sun, where it facilitates nuclear fusion reactions, releasing energy and
light. Plasma also exists in interstellar space, forming nebulae and powering cosmic phenomena like
supernovae and quasars. Furthermore, plasma is important in understanding the behavior of
astrophysical objects and in developing technologies such as fusion reactors.

2. Explain why Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) is important in the study of quantum

mechanics and its applications.
Explanation: BEC is important in the study of quantum mechanics due to its unique properties
resulting from the quantum nature of particles at extremely low temperatures. In BEC, particles
occupy the same quantum state and behave as a single quantum entity, allowing scientists to observe
and manipulate quantum phenomena on a macroscopic scale. This has implications for fundamental
research in quantum mechanics, including the study of superfluidity and quantum coherence.
Additionally, BEC has potential applications in precision measurements, quantum computing, and the
development of novel technologies.

3. Explain the difference between physical and chemical properties of matter, and provide
examples of each.
Explanation: Physical properties are observable, easily measurable characteristics of matter that do
not depend on its chemical nature, such as color and density. Chemical properties involve alterations
in the composition or molecular structure of a substance, such as flammability and acidity. Examples
of physical properties include color and density, while examples of chemical properties include
flammability and acidity.

4. Discuss the significance of intensive and extensive properties of matter in identifying and
characterizing substances.
Explanation: Intensive properties, such as boiling point and density, do not depend on the amount of
matter present and can help identify and characterize substances because they remain constant
regardless of the sample size. Extensive properties, such as volume and mass, depend on the amount
of matter present and are additive for subsystems, providing information about the