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40 Examples of Matter

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Matter is any physical entity that has mass and takes up space. This can be primarily contrasted with energy such as light, forces such as gravity and the dimension known as time. Other non-matter things are elements of the human experience such as thoughts or social constructs. The following are illustrative examples of matter.
Air
Animals
Antimatter
Atoms
Books
Chemicals
Clocks
Clouds
Computers
Data Storage Devices
Electrons
Elements (i.e. periodic table of the elements)
Fire
Food
Gases
Hadrons
Ice
Ions
Liquids
Machines
Metals
Molecules
Neutrons
Oxygen
Paintings
People
Planets
Plants
Plasma
Protons
Quarks
Rainbows
Robots
Rocks
Snow
Solids
Stars
Tools
Trees
Water
It is an odd myth that rainbows aren't matter. Rainbows are created by water vapor or mist and are analogous to clouds. They are very much physical. The light refracted by a rainbow isn't physical but the light reflected by any object isn't physical.
Fire is a visible chemical reaction that is physically composed of gases and hot solids. This is matter. The light and heat produced by a fire aren't matter. However, saying that this means fire isn't matter is like saying that human's aren't matter because the heat or sound we create isn't matter.
A clock is matter but time isn't.
Data is considered intangible but only exists on physical data storage devices. This is an important distinction as it maps to the question of whether AI, video games, digital media, software, digital services and digital experiences are based on the physical or are fully intangible.
Antimatter is viewed as a type of matter.
Things that are composed of matter can also have intangible aspects. For example, a human has numerous intangible qualities such as character traits or emotions.
Overview: Matter
Type
Definition
Any physical entity that has mass and takes up space.
Also Known As
Tangible Thing
Physical Thing
Opposite Of
Related Concepts

Matter

This is the complete list of articles we have written about matter.
Animals
Food
Liquid Things
Machines
Matter
Metals
Physical Things
Plants
Robots
Things
Time
Tools
Water
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Things

An overview of what can be considered a thing with examples and counterexamples.

Words To Describe Things

A list of words to describe things.

Things That Are Not Matter

A list of things that are not matter.

Grey Things

A list of grey things

Heavy Things

A list of unusually heavy things.

Square Things

A list of square things including natural and designed squares and cubes.

Round Things

A list of round things.

Clear Things

A list of clear things.

Glass Things

A list of glass things.

Beige Things

A list of beige things.

Quiet Things

A list of things that are quiet.

Loud Things

A list of loud things.
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