Class 9th Science​

1. MATTER IN OUR
SURROUNDINGS

✏️ Definitions for Smart Revision and Exam Preparation

1️⃣ Matter
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Everything around us, such as air, water, stones,
food, etc., is made up of matter.

2️⃣ Particles of Matter

Particles of matter are very small and make up all substances. These particles are continuously moving
and have space between them.

3️⃣ Diffusion
Diffusion is the intermixing of particles of two different types of matter on their own. It happens faster
in gases than in liquids and solids.

4️⃣ Force of Attraction

Force of attraction is the force that holds the particles of matter together. It is strongest in solids,
weaker in liquids, and weakest in gases.

5️⃣ Solid State

A solid has a definite shape, definite volume, and is rigid. The particles are tightly packed with very little
space between them.

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6️⃣ Liquid State
A liquid has a definite volume but no fixed shape. It takes the shape of the container and can flow. The
particles are loosely packed compared to solids.

7️⃣ Gaseous State

A gas has neither a definite shape nor a definite volume. The particles are far apart and move freely.
Gases can be compressed easily.

8️⃣ Compressibility
Compressibility is the property of matter to be compressed. Gases are highly compressible; solids and
liquids are not easily compressed.

9️⃣ Kinetic Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy possessed by particles due to their motion. It increases with temperature.

🔟 Melting Point
The melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid at atmospheric pressure. For
ice, it is 273.15 K.

1️⃣1️⃣ Fusion
Fusion is the process of changing a solid into a liquid by heating it.

1️⃣2️⃣ Latent Heat of Fusion

Latent heat of fusion is the amount of heat energy required to change 1 kg of a solid into liquid at its
melting point without changing its temperature.

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1️⃣3️⃣ Boiling Point
The boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid starts changing into gas at atmospheric pressure.
For water, it is 373 K (100°C).

1️⃣4️⃣ Latent Heat of Vaporisation

Latent heat of vaporisation is the amount of heat energy required to change 1 kg of a liquid into vapour
at its boiling point without any rise in temperature.

1️⃣5️⃣ Sublimation
Sublimation is the change of state from solid directly to gas without passing through the liquid state.
Example: camphor, naphthalene.

1️⃣6️⃣ Deposition
Deposition is the change of state from gas directly to solid without changing into liquid.

1️⃣7️⃣ Evaporation
Evaporation is the process of changing a liquid into vapour at any temperature below its boiling point. It
occurs at the surface.

1️⃣8️⃣ Humidity
Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air.

1️⃣9️⃣ Cooling by Evaporation

During evaporation, particles absorb heat from the surroundings to change into vapour, causing the
surroundings to cool.

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2️⃣0️⃣ Density
Density is defined as mass per unit volume of a substance.​
Formula: Density = Mass / Volume

2️⃣1️⃣ Atmospheric Pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the pressure exerted by air in the atmosphere. At sea level, it is 1 atmosphere =
1.01 × 10⁵ Pascal (Pa).

2️⃣2️⃣ SI Unit of Temperature

The SI unit of temperature is kelvin (K).​
Conversion:​
°C = K – 273​
K = °C + 273

🔸 Intext Questions & Answers

Q1. Which of the following are matter?
Chair, air, love, smell, hate, almonds, thought, cold, lemon water, smell of perfume.

Answer:​
Chair, air, almonds, lemon water are matter because they have mass and occupy space.​
Love, smell, hate, thought, cold, and smell of perfume are not matter as they do not have mass or
volume.

Q2. Give reasons:

The smell of hot sizzling food reaches you several metres away, but to get the smell from cold
food you have to go close.

Answer:​
Hot food releases aroma particles that move faster due to higher temperature and diffuse into the air
quickly. This is why the smell of hot food reaches us faster and from a greater distance compared to cold
food.

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Q3. A diver is able to cut through water in a swimming pool. Which
property of matter does this observation show?
Answer:​
This shows that particles of matter have space between them. It allows the diver to pass through
water.

Q4. What are the characteristics of particles of matter?

Answer:

1.​ Particles of matter have space between them.

2.​ Particles of matter are continuously moving.
3.​ Particles of matter attract each other.

Q5. The mass per unit volume of a substance is called density.

Arrange the following in increasing order of density – air, exhaust from chimneys, honey, water,
chalk, cotton and iron.

Answer:​
Air < Exhaust from chimneys < Cotton < Water < Honey < Chalk < Iron

Q6 (a). Tabulate the differences in characteristics of states of matter.

Answer:

Property Solid Liquid Gas

Shape Fixed Not fixed Not fixed

Volume Fixed Fixed Not fixed

Compressibility Negligible Very less High

Flow No Yes Yes

Diffusion Rate Very slow Moderate Fast

Q6 (b). Comment on:

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 ●​ Rigidity: Maximum in solids.
●​ Compressibility: Highest in gases, negligible in solids.
●​ Fluidity: Shown by liquids and gases.
●​ Filling a gas container: Gases fill the entire container.
●​ Shape: Fixed in solids, not fixed in liquids and gases.
●​ Kinetic Energy: Lowest in solids, highest in gases.
●​ Density: Highest in solids, least in gases.

Q7. Give reasons:

(a) A gas fills completely the vessel in which it is kept.​
→ Because gas particles move freely and randomly in all directions.

(b) A gas exerts pressure on the walls of the container.​

→ Gas particles collide with the container walls, exerting force per unit area.

(c) A wooden table should be called a solid.​

→ It has a definite shape, volume, and is rigid.

(d) We can easily move our hand in air but not through a solid block of wood.​
→ Because the force of attraction between particles in solids is stronger than in gases.

Q8. Liquids generally have lower density than solids.

Why does ice float on water?

Answer:​
Ice is less dense than water due to its open cage-like structure. Hence, it floats on water.

Q9. Convert the following temperature to Celsius scale:

(a) 300 K​
(b) 573 K

Answer:​
(a) 300 K = 27°C​
(b) 573 K = 300°C

Q10. What is the physical state of water at:

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(a) 250°C → Gas​
(b) 100°C → Both liquid and gas (boiling point)

Q11. Why does the temperature remain constant during change of state?
Answer:​
Because the heat supplied is used to overcome the force of attraction between particles (latent heat), not
to raise temperature.

Q12. Suggest a method to liquefy atmospheric gases.

Answer:​
By applying high pressure and reducing temperature, gases can be liquefied.

Q13. Why does a desert cooler cool better on a hot dry day?
Answer:​
Because the rate of evaporation increases in dry air, and evaporation causes cooling.

Q14. How does the water in an earthen pot become cool during summer?
Answer:​
Water seeps out and evaporates from the surface of the pot, absorbing heat and cooling the water inside.

Q15. Why does our palm feel cold when we put some acetone or perfume
on it?
Answer:​
It evaporates quickly by taking heat from our palm, leading to a cooling effect.

Q16. Why can we sip hot tea faster from a saucer than a cup?
Answer:​
Saucer has a larger surface area, increasing the rate of evaporation and cooling the tea faster.

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Q17. What type of clothes should we wear in summer?
Answer:​
Cotton clothes, because they absorb sweat and allow its evaporation, keeping the body cool.

🔸 End-of-the-Chapter Exercises
Q1. Convert to Celsius scale:
(a) 293 K = 20°C​
(b) 470 K = 197°C

Q2. Convert to Kelvin scale:

(a) 25°C = 298 K​
(b) 373°C = 646 K

Q3. Give reasons:

(a) Naphthalene balls disappear without leaving solid.​
→ They undergo sublimation directly from solid to gas.

(b) Smell of perfume reaches us from a distance.​

→ Due to fast diffusion of gas particles in air.

Q4. Arrange in increasing order of forces of attraction:

Oxygen < Water < Sugar

Q5. Physical state of water at:

(a) 25°C → Liquid​
(b) 0°C → Both solid and liquid​
(c) 100°C → Both liquid and gas

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Q6. Give two reasons:
(a) Water at room temperature is liquid → Has no fixed shape but fixed volume, flows easily.​
(b) Iron almirah is solid → Has definite shape, volume, and is rigid.

Q7. Why is ice at 273 K more effective in cooling than water at the same
temperature?
Answer:​
Because ice absorbs extra heat (latent heat of fusion) without a rise in temperature to melt.

Q8. What produces more severe burns – boiling water or steam?

Answer:​
Steam, as it contains additional latent heat of vaporisation.

Q9. Name A to F in the diagram showing state change:

Answer:

●​ A: Fusion (Melting)
●​ B: Vaporisation (Boiling)
●​ C: Condensation
●​ D: Freezing
●​ E: Sublimation
●​ F: Deposition

📌 Most Important Exam-Ready

Questions – Chapter 1: Matter in Our
Surroundings
🧠 Focused for scoring high and mastering concepts

🔹 Fundamental Concepts
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Q1. What is matter?​
A: Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Q2. What are the three physical states of matter?​

A: Solid, liquid, and gas.

Q3. What are the characteristics of the particles of matter?​

A: They have space between them, are continuously moving, and attract each other.

🔹 Particle Nature and Behavior

Q4. What is diffusion?​
A: Intermixing of particles of two substances on their own.

Q5. What increases the rate of diffusion?​

A: Increase in temperature.

🔹 Properties of States of Matter

Q6. Which state of matter is highly compressible?​
A: Gas.

Q7. Which state of matter has a fixed shape and volume?​

A: Solid.

Q8. Which state of matter flows and takes the shape of the container?​
A: Liquid.

🔹 Change of State
Q9. What is melting point?​
A: The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid.

Q10. What is boiling point?​

A: The temperature at which a liquid starts changing into gas.

Q11. What is latent heat of fusion?​

A: Heat required to change 1 kg of solid into liquid at melting point without temperature change.

Q12. What is latent heat of vaporisation?​

A: Heat required to change 1 kg of liquid into vapour at boiling point without temperature change.

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Q13. Why is ice at 273 K more effective in cooling than water at the same temperature?​
A: Because it absorbs latent heat during melting.

Q14. What produces more severe burns, boiling water or steam?​

A: Steam, due to latent heat of vaporisation.

🔹 Sublimation & Deposition

Q15. What is sublimation? Give one example.​
A: Direct change of solid to gas without becoming liquid. Example: Camphor.

🔹 Evaporation
Q16. What is evaporation?​
A: A surface phenomenon where liquid changes into vapour at temperatures below boiling point.

Q17. Why does evaporation cause cooling?​

A: Because particles absorb heat from surroundings during evaporation.

Q18. Name four factors that affect the rate of evaporation.​

A: Surface area, temperature, wind speed, and humidity.

🔹 Applications in Daily Life

Q19. Why do we wear cotton clothes in summer?​
A: Cotton absorbs sweat and helps it evaporate, which cools the body.

Q20. Why does a desert cooler work better on a hot dry day?​
A: Because evaporation is faster in dry air, providing better cooling.

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