Science Lesson no. 6.

Composition of Matter

We saw in previous Standards that all the objects that we see

around us and also those which cannot be seen are made of
same or the other matter.
 Classification of Matter

1. An intermolecular force of attraction acts between

the particles of matter. The extent of the particle
movement is determined by the strength of this
force. The particles of sold are very close to each
other and vibrate at their fixed position. Due to this,
solids get properties like definite shape and volume
and also high density and non-compressibility. The
strength of intermolecular force is moderate in the
liquid state. Though it is not strong enough to fix the
particles in definite position, it is strong enough to
hold them together. As a result, liquids have definite
volume. However, they have fluidity and their shape
is not definite but changes in accordance with the
container. The intermolecular force is very weak in
gases. Therefore, the constituent particles of gases
move freely and occupy all the available space.
Consequently, gases have neither definite shape nor
definite volume
Phy Fluidity/ volu shap Compre Inter dista
sical Rigidity/ me es ssibility force nce
 stat Plasticity
e of /
ma elasticity
tter
soli r/p/e defin defin negligibl stron mini
d ite ite e g mum
liquifluid Defi inde Very mod mod
d nite finite small erate erate
gas fluid inde inde Very weak large
finite finite high
These r the characteristics of matter

2. In the 2nd classification of matter the criterion used for

classification of matter is chemical composition of
matter. We have seen in the previous standards that
matter is classified into three types ‘element’
‘compound’ and ‘mixture’ by considering whether the
smallest particle of matter is similar or different and
what they are made of. All the smallest particles in an
element or a compound are alike, however, the
smallest particles in a mixture re of two or more
types.
The smallest particle of an element contains identical
atoms. For e.g., each molecule of oxygen contains two
oxygen atoms in bonded state. The smallest particles
of a compound are formed by joining two or more
types of atoms to each other. For e.g., each molecule
of water contains two molecules of hydrogen. The
smallest particles of a mixture are atoms/molecules of
two or more element/compounds. For e.g., the main
constituent molecules of the mixture namely air are
N2, O2, Ar, H2, O, CO2. Similarly, the mixture brass
contains atoms of copper and Zinc, while bronze
contains atoms of copper and tin.
ELEMENT COMPOUND MIXTURE
Constituent Constituent Constituent
substance of an substance of substance of a
element is only a compound mixture are two
one, and it is thatis only one or more element
element itself. and it is that or compound
compound
itself.
All the atoms in a All the Atoms/molecules
molecule of an molecule of a of a mixture are
element are alike compound two or more
and are joined to are alike. types.
each other by
chemical bonds.
All the atoms of a The The constituent
molecule of an constituent molecules of
element are alike atoms of a mixture are
and are joined to molecule of a different from
each other by compound each other and
chemical bonds. are of two or are not joined by
more types chemical bonds.
and are
joined to
each other by
chemical
bonds.
Atoms/molecules The The proportion
of different proportion of of the
elements are constituent constituent
different elements in a substance in a
compound is mixture can
constant. change.
- Properties of The properties of
a compound constituent
are different substances are
than those of retained in the
the mixture.
constituent
element
6.4 characteristics

Water: A compound, Pure water is a compound

formed by chemical combination of the element’s
hydrogen and oxygen. Whatever may be the source of
water, the proportion of its constituent elements
oxygen and hydrogen by weight is always 8:1.
Hydrogen is inflammable gas while oxygen gas
supports combustion. However, the compound water
formed by chemical combination of the gaseous
hydrogen and oxygen is a liquid. It is neither
inflammable nor does supports combustion. But,
helps to extinguish fire.

Milk: A mixture, Milk is a mixture of water, lactose,

fats, protein and few more natural substances. The
proportion of various ingredients of milk is different
as per its source. The proportion of fats in cow milk is
3-5%, while 6-9% in buffalo milk. The ingredient water
is naturally present in large proportion in milk.
Therefore, milk exists in liquid state. The sweetness of
milk is due to the ingredients called lactose. The
properties of the constituent substances are retained
in the milk.

Element has different physical properties like

lustre/paleness, malleability/brittleness. According to
that, elements are classified. In early times, elements
were classified into ‘Metals’ and ‘Non-metals’. After
invention of a new type ‘Metalloid’ is discovered.

Types of compounds

Some compounds give residue while others do not

give any residue or give a blackish residue. The black
residue is mainly made of carbon. Moreover, when
such compounds are strongly heated in the air,
combine with oxygen to form some gaseous
substances. In case their combustion is not complete,
black colored carbon remain behind as residue. These
compounds are called organic or carbon compounds.
For examples materials like proteins, hydrocarbon is
made of organic compounds.

The compounds that decompose on strong heating to

leave a residue behind are inorganic compounds.
Common salt, soda, rust, limestones are inorganic
compounds.

There is another type of compound called Complex

compound. The molecular compounds have a
complex structure formed by many atoms and in the
center of this structure, metal atoms are also
included.
Chlorophyll that contains magnesium, hemoglobin
that contain iron is an example of complex
compound.

The part of matter having uniform composition is

called phase. When all the components of a mixture
form one phase, it is called homogenous mixture.
When the components of a mixture are distributed
into two or more phases it is called heterogeneous
mixture.

All the particles of a solid that stays together

constitute a single phase. (For examples a heap of
stones). A liquid substance along with all the soluble
substances dissolved in it together constitute a single
phase. (For examples sea water). A liquid or all its
drops present together or in the same container
constitute a single phase. (For examples rain drops).
Liquids present together or in the same container, but
not mixed with each other, constitute separate phase.
(For examples oil and water). All the gases present
together constitute a single phase. (For examples air).

Solution: A homogeneous mixture of two or more

substances is called a solution. Component of a
solution which is present in the largest proportion is
called a solvent. The other components which are in
less proportion that the solvent is called solutes. The
process of forming a solution by mixing solutes in a
solvent is called dissolution.
The solution such as sea water, sugar syrup is of the
type solid in liquid.
Solution can also be liquid in liquid (For examples
vinegar, sulphuric acid). Gas in gas (For examples
hydrochloric acid). The composition of a
homogeneous mixture, this is to say solution, is
uniform throughout the bulk. If solvent is a
transparent liquid, the solution is also transparent
and it passes through a filter paper.

Suspension: When a heterogeneous mixture of water

and saw dust was formed. It is a mixture od solid to
liquid. Heterogeneous, mixture of a liquid and a solid
is called a suspension. The diameter of the solid
particles in a suspension is larger than 10-4 m.
Therefore, light cannot be transmitted through it.
More over these solid particles remain on an ordinary
filter paper as residue and therefore the liquid and
solid components of a suspension get separated by
filtration.

Colloid: When light is incident on the surface of this

mixture, it is partly scattered. This is because the tiny
particles of the milk phase in this heterogeneous
mixture are dispersed evenly in the water phase, and
the diameter of these particles is called a colloid.
However, the pores of the ordinary filter paper are
larger than colloid, the heterogeneous mixture,
cannot be separated by filtration. Milk itself is a
colloid. In it, the solid and liquid particles of protein,
fat, etc. having diameter around 10-5 m are dispersed
in aqueous medium. Apart from this, there are some
more types of colloids such as ‘solid in gas’ which is
smoke and ‘liquid in gas’ which is fog or cloud etc.
Let us understand compounds: Element is a type od
matter having the simplest composition. On the
inspection of the composition of the types compound
and mixture it is learnt that they are formed from two
or more units. Whether these units are in a joined
state with each other or separate decides whether
the matter is a compound or a mixture.
Molecular formula and valency: There are a definite
proportion of the constituent elements in a
compound. Certain number of the atom of each of
the constituent are joined to each other in a molecule
of a compound. Molecular formula indicates the
number of atoms of each of the constituent elements
present in one molecule of a compound. A molecular
formula includes the information regarding the
symbols of the all-constituent elements and their
respective number as subscripts.

We have seen the relationship between the molecular

formula and the number of atoms of various elements
in molecule. The ability of joining to another atom
with a chemical bond is a chemical property of each
atom. This ability is indicated by a number and this
number is called valency of that atoms.

Valences of the constituent elements can be deduced

from the known molecular formula of a compound.
The molecular formula of a compound can be written
from the known valences of the constituent elements
by the method of cross multiplication.

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