This chapter describes the properties and states of matter and the changes substances undergo. Most forms of matter that we encounter every day are mixtures. In this chapter, you will learn to distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures as well as between elements and compounds. In addition to physical properties, substances have properties that relate to the kinds of chemical changes they can undergo. You will learn how to tell whether a chemical reaction has taken place. During a chemical reaction, the mass of the products equals the mass of the reactants. This is known as the law of conservation of mass.

In this chapter, you will learn: to identify the characteristics of matter and substances to differentiate among the three states of matter to distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous samples of matter to explain the difference between an element and a compound to differentiate between physical and chemical changes in matter to apply the law of conservation of mass