Examples of Things That Are Not Matter

What are some examples of things that are not matter? To answer the question, you need to understand what matter is.

Everything that has mass and takes up space is matter. Every day, you encounter phenomena that either don't have mass or don't take up space. They are non-matter. Basically, any type of energy or any abstract concept is an example of something that is not matter.

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Examples of Matter

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Things That Are Not Matter

Here are several things that don't meet the definition of matter:

• Time
• Sound
• Sunlight
• Rainbow
• Love
• Thoughts
• Gravity
• Microwaves
• Heat
• Memories
• Information
• Reflections
• Energy

Other examples include dreams, magnetism, radio, and hate.

Learn More

• Examples of Matter: Now you know what matter is not. Here are examples of what it is.
• Why Light and Heat Aren't Matter: There's a reason forms of energy don't qualify as matter.
• Structure of Matter: Matter organizes in a predictable manner.
• State of Matter of Fire: What about fire? It has heat and energy. Is it matter?
• The States of Matter: Learn about liquids, solids, gases, and plasma.