What is matter? Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. It is the physical substance of the universe and includes all the tangible materials we encounter. Matter exists in various states, primarily solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, and can be composed of atoms and molecules. The characteristics of matter, such as density, volume, and mass, are fundamental to physics and chemistry.
What does temperature measure? Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It indicates how hot or cold an object is relative to a reference point, typically the freezing and boiling points of water. When the temperature increases, the particles move faster, signifying higher thermal energy, while a decrease in temperature corresponds to slower particle movement and lower thermal energy. Temperature is measured in various scales, including Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K).