Chapter U1.3, Problem 4E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The Sun is considered matter, but sunlight is not considered matter. The reason for this is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Matter is defined as anything that has mass and volume. Chemists use the word matter to describe all materials and objects in the world such as air, book, chair, ink etc. Matter can be anything that has substance and takes up space. Matter may be solid, liquid or gas.

Answer to Problem 4E

The Sun is considered matter, but sunlight is not considered matter because Sun has mass and volume but sunlight has no mass and volume.

Explanation of Solution

Sun is a star in the solar system. It is a hot ball of fire made up of plasma and gases such as hydrogen and helium. Most of the matter is present in the centre of the Sun. So it has a mass and since it occupies some space in the solar system, it has volume too. Therefore, we can consider Sun a matter.

Sun gives out electromagnetic radiations which is called sunlight. This is the source of energy in the solar system.

The sunlight is made up of light photons which do not have any mass and volume. Since any substance that has mass and volume is considered matter, sunlight has neither mass nor volume so it cannot be considered matter.

Conclusion

The Sun is considered matter as it has some mass and occupies space. Sunlight is not considered matter as it does not have any mass and does not occupy space.