States of Matter: Glossary

C

components

parts

compound

two or more atoms joined together chemically

compressed

squeezed together

conductivity

the ability for electricity to flow

D

density

space between atoms

E

electrons

negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit an atom's nucleus

element

matter that is made from only one kind of atom

F

flexibility

ability to bend

G

gravity

natural attraction to the object of mass

M

magma

lava inside the earth

mass

also called weight - is not truly weight - but the amount of atoms in an object

N

neutrons

neutrally charged subatomic particles that exist in the nucleus of an atom

nucleus

center of an atom

P

Periodic Table of the Elements

a table that lists the number of protons and other properties of the 100 or so atoms that are known to exist

phase change

to change from one state to another state of matter

plasma

fourth state of matter - electrically charged, lots of energy

properties

descriptive ways of identifying matter

protons

positively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom

R

room temperature

temperature of the average room - approximately between 20 to 25°c (68 to 77°f) - can vary

S

STM

scanning tunneling microscope - an electron microscope used to map atoms, to obtain atomic-scale images of metal surfaces in 3 D

subatomic particles

smaller parts of an atom