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Related Concept Videos

Classifying Matter by State02:49

Classifying Matter by State

103.8K
Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, water, soil, mountains, even our bodies are all examples of matter. Matter is divided into three states — solid, liquid, and gas — that are commonly found on earth. The fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars. 
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Classifying Matter by Composition03:35

Classifying Matter by Composition

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Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures. 
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated. 
A mixture is composed of two or...
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Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter02:57

Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

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The characteristics that enable us to distinguish one substance from another are called properties.
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The Atomic Theory of Matter02:59

The Atomic Theory of Matter

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The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers...
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What is Matter?01:13

What is Matter?

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The substance of the universe—from a grain of sand to a star—is called matter. Scientists define matter as anything that occupies space and has mass. An object’s mass and its weight are related concepts, but not quite the same. An object’s mass is the amount of matter contained in the object and is the same whether that object is on Earth or in the zero-gravity environment of outer space. An object’s weight, on the other hand, is its mass as affected by the pull of...
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States of Matter01:20

States of Matter

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Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter commonly found on Earth. A solid is rigid and possesses a definite shape. A liquid flows and takes the shape of its container, except it forms a flat or slightly curved upper surface when acted upon by gravity. Both liquid and solid samples have volumes nearly independent of pressure. A gas takes both the shape and volume of its container.
Scientists have discovered a fourth state of matter, plasma, that occurs naturally in the interiors...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

A Versatile Murine Model of Subcortical White Matter Stroke for the Study of Axonal Degeneration and White Matter Neurobiology
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The small things can matter.

Norman R Pace1

  • 1Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America.

Plos Biology
|August 25, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial life profoundly impacts biology and personal scientific journeys. This reflection explores the origins of metagenomics, highlighting the influence of small organisms and events.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • The study reflects on the early development of molecular biology and microbial ecology.
  • It emphasizes the significant influence of microorganisms on biological systems.

Discussion:

  • The author shares personal experiences and pivotal moments in their scientific development.
  • This narrative connects individual growth with the evolution of scientific fields.

Key Insights:

  • Seemingly small entities, like microbes, have a disproportionately large impact.
  • The field of metagenomics emerged from the convergence of molecular biology and microbial ecology.

Outlook:

  • Understanding microbial roles is crucial for future biological research.
  • Personal scientific journeys are often shaped by unexpected discoveries and influences.