GED Science Practice

What does matter refer to?

1. a tumor that tends to spread

2. molten rock in the earth's crust

3. an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites

4. that which has mass and occupies space

The correct answer is: that which has mass and occupies space

Matter refers to anything that has mass and occupies space. This is a fundamental concept in science that defines the physical substances that make up the universe. Matter can exist in various states, including solid, liquid, and gas, and it is composed of atoms and molecules. Understanding this definition is crucial for grasping other concepts in physics and chemistry, where the properties and interactions of matter are studied extensively. The other options describe specific conditions or materials but do not capture the broad definition of matter itself. For instance, a tumor refers to abnormal growth in biological tissue, molten rock is related to geological processes, and an infective disease pertains to health and biology. These terms are important in their respective fields, but they do not encompass the universal definition of matter as described in the correct answer.