Final answer:
The statement 'all matter basically looks the same' is false; matter can be very diverse in appearance and properties. Atoms form the basis of matter, and different elements have atoms with different characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that all matter basically looks the same is false. Matter consists of substances that can vary widely in appearance, properties, and composition. For instance, a cup of water and a cup of mercury differ significantly in mass despite occupying the same volume. The mercury has more matter because it is denser, meaning it has a greater mass per unit volume than water.
All matter is composed of small particles called atoms. While atoms of the same element are identical, atoms of different elements differ in size, mass, and other properties. Atoms bond together in specific ways to create compounds, which are substances made from two or more different types of atoms bonded together.