Which statement best describes matter?

Which statement best describes matter?

• A. Anything that can only be seen
• B. Anything that has size, shape, texture, and odor
• C. Anything that tastes sweet
• D. Anything that moves

Answer: (B)

Matter is anything that has size and takes up space, so it has mass. The statement describing matter using size, shape, texture, and odor fits because these are physical properties we can observe to identify and describe matter in the world around us. Rocks, water, and air all share this idea since each occupies space and has measurable properties. The other options rely on features that aren’t essential to what matter is: visibility isn’t required since some matter isn’t easily seen; a taste like sweetness is not a universal property of all matter; movement isn’t required because something can be still and still be matter.

Matter is anything that has size and takes up space, so it has mass. The statement describing matter using size, shape, texture, and odor fits because these are physical properties we can observe to identify and describe matter in the world around us. Rocks, water, and air all share this idea since each occupies space and has measurable properties. The other options rely on features that aren’t essential to what matter is: visibility isn’t required since some matter isn’t easily seen; a taste like sweetness is not a universal property of all matter; movement isn’t required because something can be still and still be matter.