Physical Nature of Matter

Question 1

What is the activity that proves that matter is made up of particles?

Answer 1

1. Take a 100mL beaker
2. Fill half beaker with water
3. Dissolve salt with the help of a glass rod
   OBSERVATION- The change in water level and disappearance of water shows that when we dissolve salt in water, the particles of salt get into the spaces between particles of water, hence proving that matter is made up of particles.

Question 2

What is the activity that proves that particles of matter are tiny?

Answer 2

The potassium permanganate one where you keep diluting the solution but the colour remains lightly pink. It shows that there must be millions of tiny particles in just one crystal of potassium permanganate, which keeps dividing itself into smaller particles.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of particles of matter? Explain each with an activity.

Answer 3

1. Particles of Matter Have Space Between Them
   (Dissolving salt/sugar in water)
2. Particles of Matter are Continuously Moving
   (Incense stick in the corner of the room) (Ink in water) (Copper sulphate in hot water and cold water) (through kinetic energy, an increase in temperature means more kinetic energy) (also btw intermixing of particles of two different types of matter is called diffusion)
3. Particles of Matter Attract Each Other
   (iron nail, chalk, rubber band) (are you able to cut the surface of water with your fingers? the answer is, NO) (particles of matter have force between them, force keeps the particles together, the strength of this force of attraction varies)