Matter vs. Substance — What's the Difference?

Exists in four fundamental states – solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Chemistry focuses on the study of substances, their reactions, and properties.

Can be a mixture or a pure substance.

A specific kind of matter with uniform and identifiable properties.

The study of matter is a central concern of physics.

Can be an element or a compound.

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Has characteristic properties that do not vary.

Its properties can vary widely.

Always a pure chemical composition.

In classical physics and general chemistry, matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume. All everyday objects that can be touched are ultimately composed of atoms, which are made up of interacting subatomic particles, and in everyday as well as scientific usage, "matter" generally includes atoms and anything made up of them, and any particles (or combination of particles) that act as if they have both rest mass and volume.

That which has mass and occupies space; matter.

Physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy

A material of a particular kind or constitution.

A subject or situation under consideration

A drug, chemical, or other material (such as glue) that one is dependent on or uses habitually and that is often illegal or subject to government regulation

The reason for distress or a problem

The most important part or idea of what is said or written; the essence or gist

The substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form.

That which is real or practical in quality or character; practical value

Be important or significant

Significance or importance

(of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.

Density; body

That which occupies space and has mass; physical substance.

Material possessions; goods; wealth

A type of such substance

Physical matter; material.

Discharge or waste, such as pus or feces, from a living organism.

A form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties.

(Philosophy) In Aristotelian and Scholastic use, that which is in itself undifferentiated and formless and which, as the subject of change and development, receives form and becomes substance.

The essential part of anything; the most vital part.

The substance of thought or expression as opposed to the manner in which it is stated or conveyed.

Substantiality; solidity; firmness.

A subject of concern, feeling, or action

Material possessions; estate; property; resources.

Trouble or difficulty

Drugs illegal narcotics

An approximated quantity, amount, or extent

(theology) Hypostasis.

Something printed or otherwise set down in writing

To give substance to; to make real or substantial.

To be of importance

That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence.

(uncountable) Material; substance.

The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport.

(physics) The basic structural component of the universe, usually having mass and volume.

Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance.

(physics) Matter made up of normal particles, not antiparticles.

Material possessions; estate; property; resources.

A kind of substance.

Same as Hypostasis, 2.

Material, especially in books or magazines.

To furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich.

(philosophy) Aristotelian: undeveloped potentiality subject to change and development; formlessness. Matter receives form, and becomes substance.

That which has mass and occupies space;

An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic.

The stuff of which an object consists

An approximate amount or extent.

The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;

(obsolete) essence; pith; embodiment.

The idea that is intended;

(obsolete) (The) inducing cause or reason, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing.

Considerable capital (wealth or income);

To be important.

What a communication that is about something is about

To care about, to mind; to find important.

To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.

That of which anything is composed; constituent substance; material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the embodiment.

That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body; substance.

That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or the like; theme.

That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business.

Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance; significance; moment; - chiefly in the phrases what matter? no matter, and the like.

Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.

Amount; quantity; portion; space; - often indefinite.

Substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess; pus; purulent substance.

That which is permanent, or is supposed to be given, and in or upon which changes are effected by psychological or physical processes and relations; - opposed to form.

Written manuscript, or anything to be set in type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be used, or which has been used, in printing.

To be of importance; to import; to signify.

To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.

To regard as important; to take account of; to care for.

That which has mass and occupies space;

A vaguely specified concern;

Some situation or event that is thought about;

A problem;

(used with negation) having consequence;

Written works (especially in books or magazines);

Have weight; have import, carry weight;

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space, including solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

Yes, all substances are examples of matter, but not all matter qualifies as a single substance due to mixtures.

A substance is a specific kind of matter that has uniform and identifiable properties and a consistent chemical composition.

Chemistry focuses on the composition, properties, and reactions of substances to understand and utilize them better.

No, a substance is always a pure chemical entity, not a mixture.

The inherent properties of a substance remain consistent, but physical conditions like temperature and pressure can change its state.

The properties of matter can vary widely depending on its composition and state, such as solid, liquid, or gas.

Substances react chemically with other substances to form new products with different properties.

Matter refers to all physical material, while substance refers specifically to pure matter with uniform properties.

Substances are classified into elements and compounds based on their chemical composition.

Studying matter helps physicists understand the universe's physical properties and laws.

Yes, elements are considered substances because they consist of a single type of atom and have uniform properties.

Matter exists in four states: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Understanding the difference is crucial for scientific disciplines like physics and chemistry, where precise definitions impact research, analysis, and application.

Air is an example of a mixture, consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and small amounts of other gases.