Difference between the words "material" and "matter"

[planck999]

Summary:: Difference between the material and matter

They look similar but I know they differ. What might be the possible difference between them? Let's discuss.

 

[berkeman]

Welcome to PF.

What definitions are you using for each? Why do you think there are fundamental differences between those two nouns?

 

[planck999]

Because then we wouldn't use material in different places and materials science wouldn't exist.

 

[berkeman]

So far it sounds like you want to quibble about semantics. Please show the definitions of each that you are saying make them different.

 

[PeroK]

Summary:: Difference between the material and matter

That's immaterial, which is to say it doesn't matter.

 

[planck999]

I think matter is anything that covers place in the space. But when we use them for specific purposes they become materials. Like we classify them in different ways if we take them as matter, and use another classification if we take them as materials. Matter is too much of a broad term but material has a specific purpose. Explosive material means that they explode. But there is no explosive matter, it is just that explosive material is a matter.

 

[berkeman]

I think matter is

We generally don't allow "I think" as a definitive definition. Can you find standard definitions (like in a dictionary) that make them different? So far this thread is close to getting disqualified from the technical PF forums, and may end up in the Linguistics section...

 

[berkeman]

That's immaterial, which is to say it doesn't matter.

LOL. I was just about to page you for one of your creative Haikus...

 

[planck999]

Matter definition:physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy.
Material definition:the matter from which a thing is or can be made.

If I were to have a homework defining matter and material, I would describe matter as: Anything that is made of atoms
Material: the matter from which a thing can be made
such as corrosive materials:sodium hydroxide
explosive materials:black powder

And the difference between matter and material is that a material is a matter for specific purpose.

Is this clear enough?

 

[anorlunda]

Yes it matters, but that is immaterial.

 

[BillTre]

Sounds like your saying material is patterned matter (atoms), presumably patterned into molecules and therefore interacting in the realm of chemistry and maybe visible (large) objects.

 

[Klystron]

Matter definition: physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy.
Material definition: the matter from which a thing is or can be made.
...
And the difference between matter and material is that a material is a matter for specific purpose.
'''

Your working definitions appear plausible. I struck through the articles in the final sentence in the above quote.

When I transitioned from military work to NASA, I retained and used the term matériel in place of material, such as matériel control or cache of matériel; i.e., supply dump. Notice the collective nature of the noun matériel obviates a plural form.

 

[symbolipoint]

#6 from Planck999 made the most sense.

My impression is Matter is any mass. Material is mass with a specific set of properties, or purpose, or identity. Definitions of Mass, Material, Matter; will help in deciding which word to use.