Question

Identify each as either matter or not matter. a) a book b) hate c) light d) a car e) a fried egg

Short answer

a) matter, b) not matter, c) not matter, d) matter, e) matter

Step-by-step solution

Define Matter

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. It can be perceived through the senses as it has a physical presence.

Analyze Each Item

We will go through each item and determine whether it has mass and occupies space, which are the criteria for identifying matter.

Determine for 'a book'

A book has mass, occupies space, and can be touched and seen. Therefore, it is matter.

Determine for 'hate'

Hate is an emotion. It does not have mass or occupy space, hence it is not matter.

Determine for 'light'

Light is a form of energy. It does not have mass and does not occupy space, thus it is not considered matter.

Determine for 'a car'

A car has mass, takes up space, and can be physically interacted with. Therefore, it is matter.

Determine for 'a fried egg'

A fried egg has mass, occupies physical space, and can be sensed physically, making it matter.

Key concepts

Mass

Mass is a key property of matter. It represents the amount of substance in an object. We can feel and measure mass using scales.
Mass is what makes lifting or pushing an object require effort. Mass is often measured in kilograms or grams.

• Mass is not the same as weight, but they are related. Weight is the force exerted by gravity on an object, calculated as the mass times the gravitational pull.
• Mass remains constant regardless of location, while weight can change depending on gravity.

For instance, a book has mass, so it can be classified as matter.

Physical presence

Physical presence refers to the ability of an object to be sensed. It can be seen, touched, or felt. Physical presence indicates that something is indeed there.
When an object has a physical presence, it usually means it takes up space and has mass.

• Objects like a car or a fried egg can be seen and touched, showing their physical presence.
• Though emotions like hate exist in our minds, they lack a physical form and thus have no physical presence.

Physical presence is a crucial indicator of matter.

Space occupancy

Space occupancy is the characteristic of matter that involves taking up volume in space. This is a fundamental property that distinguishes matter from non-matter.
Space occupied by an object can be analyzed through measurements of its volume.

• Anything that occupies space can prevent other objects from occupying that same space.
• For example, a book and a car both occupy space, making them matter.
• Space occupation can be uneven, such as a fried egg, which occupies a defined area when placed on a plate.

This property underscores why items like light don’t count as matter.

Energy vs Matter

Energy and matter are closely related concepts but are distinct in nature. Matter has mass and occupies space, while energy describes the ability to do work or cause change.
Matter is something physical, but energy exists without a physical form.

• Light is a form of energy. It helps us see but does not have mass or take up space. This characteristic distinguishes it from matter.
• Energy can be converted to matter under certain circumstances, like in special scientific conditions (remember the famous equation \(E=mc^2\)).
• Energy manifests in various forms such as heat, light, and sound, none of which are matter.

Understanding the difference helps clarify why not all things we perceive are physical matter.