Matter

 

Matter is the substance that makes up all tangible and many intangible things in the physical universe. It is anything that has mass and occupies space. It can exist in different states, such as solid, liquid, gas, or plasma. 

Matter is made up of elementary particles called quarks and leptons, which combine to form protons and neutrons, and along with electrons, form atoms of the elements. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and bind together to make elements.

These atoms can combine to form molecules, and molecules can further combine to create various types of substances. Matter can also be classified by its chemical composition, such as elements, compounds, or mixtures. Matter can change its state or composition by physical or chemical processes.

Matter can exist in several different states, each with unique properties. Here are the four main states of matter that are observable in everyday life:

1. Solid: In a solid, the particles (ions, atoms, or molecules) are closely packed together. The forces between particles are so strong that the particles cannot move freely but can only vibrate. As a result, a solid has a stable, definite shape, and a definite volume.

2. Liquid: Matter in the liquid state maintains a fixed volume, but has a variable shape that adapts to fit its container. The atoms or molecules in a liquid are more loosely packed than in a solid and can move around one another.

3. Gas: Matter in the gaseous state have neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. The atoms or molecules in a gas are widely separated and move freely.

4. Plasma: Plasma is a high-energy state of matter where electrons are stripped from atoms, creating a mixture of positively charged ions and free electrons. It is often found in extremely hot and energetic environments, such as stars and lightning.

In addition to these four states, there are other states that exist under extreme conditions such as Bose–Einstein condensates (in extreme cold), neutron-degenerate matter (in extreme density), and quark–gluon plasma (at extremely high energy). There are also many intermediate states known to exist, such as liquid crystal.

In mainstream media and academia, it is overwhelmingly portrayed that matter is the only thing however, there are different opinions and beliefs that allude to option of non matter behind matter. The scope of this aspect is wider, and is of utmost importance; therefore science, philosophy and other areas of knowledge need to be taken into account for more accurate exposition.