Matter and its physical nature
Matter and Its States · Chemistry
Study notes
Classify these as matter or not matter: (a) a book, (b) light from a bulb, (c) oxygen gas, (d) your shadow, (e) a steel spoon. Step 1: Ask — does it have mass and occupy space? Step 2: Book — yes, has mass and takes space → matter. Step 3: Light — no mass, does not occupy space → NOT matter. Step 4: Oxygen gas — yes, tiny particles with mass → matter. Step 5: Shadow — just absence of light, no mass → NOT matter. Step 6: Steel spoon — yes → matter.