Question
Question: What is the structure of matter?...
What is the structure of matter?
Solution
Hint : Matter is not indivisible, and different matter has different properties based on their smaller particles called atoms. Structure that matter has is obtained by the arrangement of atoms in space, various such arrangements are possible.
Complete Step By Step Answer:
Matter is something which takes up space and has some mass, in chemistry matter links with smaller particles. Everything we see is made up of atoms, these atoms are not similar but they vary from substance to substance.
Thus we can say that matter is basically made up of various kinds of atoms, such as iron, carbon, calcium, magnesium, etc. The structure that a matter has is decided by the atoms from which it is made up of.
Atoms are also not indivisible, atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons which decide the properties of that element. We can also say for simplicity that matter is made up of various elements.
The arrangement of atoms in space decides the structure of matter, such as shape, size, colour, etc. If the matter is purely made up of a metal element, then there is a much higher possibility that the matter will be solid and lustrous.
Matter may exist in solid, liquid or gaseous form, it depends on the conditions the surrounding has. If the temperature is high, the matter might exist in gaseous form. If the temperature is low, the matter might exist in solid or liquid form.
For example, air exists in gaseous form which is made up of a variety of elements and their respective atoms. Air is also one kind of matter as it has mass and it fills up the space or void.
For another example, wood that grows on trees, exists as a solid substance or matter which also contains various elements.
Thus, the structure and formation of matter is decided by the types of atoms it has and the surrounding conditions it is in.
Note :
Surrounding conditions include volume, pressure, density, temperature, etc. of the matter. The structure of matter depends on the atoms of the element because atoms need to be stable, and atoms can remain stable only when certain conditions are satisfied.