Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. It's what everything in the universe is made of, including living organisms.
Related terms
Molecules: These are groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. They're like the completed Lego structures you make out of individual blocks (atoms).
Mass: This is the amount of matter in an object. It's like weighing your completed Lego structure to see how much it weighs.
This is the amount of space that matter occupies. Imagine putting your Lego structure into a box - volume would be how much room it takes up inside that box.