Matter in Our Surroundings: Class 9 Chemistry Explained

Matter in Our Surroundings is essential in chemistry and helps students understand various practical and theoretical applications related to this topic. This lesson builds the foundation for deeper chapters on mixtures, elements, atoms, and molecules. 

With everyday examples, short notes, and easy explanations, students can quickly grasp how matter appears all around us.

What is Matter in Our Surroundings in Chemistry?

A matter in our surroundings refers to anything that has mass and occupies space. This concept appears in chapters related to states of matter, properties of substances, and classification of matter, making it a foundational part of your chemistry syllabus. 

Whether it’s the air we breathe, water we drink, or the chair we sit on, everything is made up of matter. Matter exists mainly as solids, liquids, and gases in our surroundings.

Key Characteristics and Properties of Matter

Matter in our surroundings shows some important properties. These help us understand differences between materials and explain their uses in daily life.

• All matter has mass and occupies space (volume).
• Particles of matter are extremely small.
• There are spaces between particles, which allow mixing and dissolving.
• Particles of matter are always in random motion.
• Particles attract each other. The force varies among solids, liquids, and gases.

States of Matter in Our Surroundings

Matter in our surroundings is mainly found in three physical states—solids, liquids, and gases. Each state has unique characteristics, which are summarized in the table below:

State	Arrangement of Particles	Properties	Examples
Solid	Tightly packed, fixed positions	Definite shape and volume, rigid, not compressible	Ice, wood, brick
Liquid	Close, but can move past each other	Fixed volume, takes shape of container, flows easily	Water, milk, oil
Gas	Very far apart, move freely	No fixed shape or volume, compressible, fills container	Air, oxygen, carbon dioxide

Examples of Matter in Our Surroundings

From morning to night, almost everything you see or touch is matter. Here are common examples of matter in our environment:

• Water in rivers, lakes, and bottles
• Air around us
• The soil under our feet
• Metals like iron, aluminium utensils
• Wooden furniture
• Milk, juice, and soft drinks
• Clouds (water droplets, water vapour)
• Chalk and stone
• All living things – plants and animals

Physical and Chemical Changes of Matter

Matter in our surroundings can change from one state to another when temperature or pressure changes. These changes are physical. Here’s how matter commonly changes its state:

• Melting: Solid turns into liquid (ice melting into water).
• Evaporation/Boiling: Liquid turns into gas (water boiling to become steam).
• Condensation: Gas cools to form liquid (dew forming on grass).
• Freezing: Liquid turns into solid (water freezing into ice).
• Sublimation: Some solids change directly to gas (naphthalene balls, camphor).

Chemical changes form new substances (like rusting of iron, or milk turning sour), showing matter’s ability to react and transform.

Step-by-Step Reaction Example

Let’s see the melting of ice (a physical change) step-by-step:

1. Take ice cubes and put them in a bowl.

2. Allow the ice to warm naturally at room temperature.

3. Ice absorbs heat, and its particles gain kinetic energy.

4. At 0°C, the solid turns into liquid water.

5. The mass remains unchanged, only state changes, showing that matter is conserved.

Frequent Related Errors

• Assuming only visible things are matter (air and gases are also matter).
• Getting confused between chemical and physical changes.
• Thinking liquids always take the shape of their container—note their volume does not change.
• Using the terms "substance" and "matter" as if they always mean the same.

Uses of Matter in Real Life

Matter in our surroundings is used everywhere. Water is vital for drinking, cleaning, cooking, and farming. Gases like oxygen support life and combustion. Solids like metals are used for construction and transportation. 

Understanding matter lets us manufacture new materials, manage pollution, and carry out scientific research. Vedantu uses real-life examples to make these concepts clear in interactive sessions.

Relation with Other Chemistry Concepts

Matter in our surroundings is linked directly with states of matter, physical and chemical properties, and classification of matter. As students move ahead, they will learn about mixtures, pure substances, atoms, molecules, and changes in state.

Lab or Experimental Tips

When asked if something is matter, check if it has mass and occupies space—even air! In Vedantu’s online classes, educators often ask students to try dissolving salt in water to observe spaces between particles and prove the point practically.

Try This Yourself

• List three things around you that are matter but invisible.
• Explain what happens to a droplet of perfume in the air (hint: diffusion).
• Identify the state of matter of candle wax at room temperature, and when it melts.

Final Wrap-Up

We explored matter in our surroundings—its properties, types, and real-world relevance. Understanding this concept is the first step to mastering many other chapters in chemistry. For revision notes, live quizzes, and deeper learning, visit Vedantu’s Chemistry section for accessible resources with simple explanations.