Question

Which of the following is not matter?
A. Chair
B. Dettol
C. Smell
D. sugar

Answer 1

Hint: The definition of matter is, anything that has mass and occupies space is called matter. Physical states are the form of states of matter in which the compound or element is present and is visible to us. These physical states are solid, liquid, gas.

Complete step by step answer:
Before we move ahead to the solution to this question, let us first understand the nature of different states of matter.
1.Gases: gases are the form of a substance, in which the forces of attraction between the different molecules of the substance are very weak. This enables the molecules of the substance to be freely flowing, in any direction. Also, the volume of gas is compressible in nature. Hence, the volume of gases is not fixed. This helps gases in flowing from one part of a fixed volume, to another, in any direction.
2.Liquid: liquids are very much like gases. Just like gases, the forces of attraction between the different molecules in a liquid are weak. But they are more than that of gases, this gives liquids non – compressible volumes, i.e. fixed volumes. This helps the liquid to flow from one part of a fixed volume to another, in a fixed direction.
3.Solid: solids on the other hand have strong forces of attraction between the molecules. This gives solids rigid geometries and fixed volumes. Hence, solids are unable to flow.
Now among the given options, the smell is not a matter. As it has no mass and no characteristics like matter. But on the other hand, Dettol, sugar, chairs have mass and occupy space.

So, the correct option is C.

Note:Plasma can be understood as the fourth state of matter, apart from solids, liquids, and gases. To understand plasma as a state of matter, let us understand the following scenario: we know that when we heat a regular solid, upon reaching a threshold level, this solid substance changes its state of matter and forms a liquid. Again, if we further heat this liquid, after reaching the threshold, this liquid substance gets converted to a gas. If we further heat this gas, after reaching a very high thermal value, this gas gets converted to a state of matter known as plasma. Plasma is an extremely hot state of matter which continuously emits radiation in the form of light and other rays.