What is the definition of matter?

Answer 1

Matter is the physical material of the universe. It is the "stuff" all around you.

The "stuff" in the world can be roughly divided into matter and energy. Matter has mass and exhibits gravimetric properties -- it "dents" or "warps" spacetime in proportion to its mass.

Matter is everything around you.

Matter is anything made of atoms and molecules.

Matter is anything that has mass (weight) and volume (takes up space).

What is and is not matter

Matter is everything and anything that is not energy, space, or time. Matter makes up everything from the mountains to the oceans to the human body. The things that are not matter are :

1) energy - electromagnetism, light, heat

2) space - the area matter and energy exist in, like the area between two walls or between stars

3) time - the progressive activities of things as they happen

Three basic states of matter

Gas

The least dense state, which has no fixed volume or shape, but can be changed in density (pressure) by changing its amount or its volume

Liquid

The molecules of a liquid are practically fixed in their volume and density, but not their shape. The molecules of a liquid can move around to fill a volume.

Solid

A solid has a fixed volume and shape, although it can be altered.

The other two, uncommon states of matter are plasma (extremely hot, ionized gas) and Bose-Einstein condensates (extremely cold, condensed gas).