MATTER & ITS PROPERTIES

VOCABULARY flashcards based on General Chemistry 1 lecture notes regarding the states, properties, changes, and classification of matter.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass, composed of tiny particles called atoms.

Solid

A state of matter characterized by a definite volume, a definite shape, and high density, where molecules vibrate in place in an ordered arrangement.

Liquid

A state of matter with a definite volume but indefinite shape, high density, and molecules that move in random, medium speeds with a disordered arrangement.

Gas

A state of matter with no definite volume or shape and low density, where molecules move randomly and fast over large distances in total disorder.

Physical Properties

Characteristics that can be observed, measured, and tested without changing the composition of matter, perceived by the senses.

Intensive Properties

Physical properties that do not depend on the amount of matter present or being measured, such as color, hardness, and boiling point.

Extensive Properties

Physical properties that depend on the amount of matter present or being tested, such as mass, length, and shape.

Hardness

A physical property that refers to the ability of a material to resist scrathching.

Melting point

The temperature where solid changes to liquid.

Boiling point

The temperature where liquid changes to gas.

Luster

A property of a material that pertains to the interaction of light on the surface of metal.

Malleability

The ability of a metal to be hammered or shaped into thin sheets without breaking or cracking.

Density

The mass of an object per unit volume, which is expressed as $\text{mass/volume}$.

Chemical properties

Properties involved in the change in a substance’s composition during a chemical reaction, such as flammability, reactivity, toxicity, and oxidation.

Physical Change

A change that does not alter the identity of a substance, such as evaporation or solidification.

Chemical Change

A change that produces new compounds with a different chemical composition and a different set of properties.

Photosynthesis

A chemical change process through which plants transform solar energy and chemical energy represented by the equation: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$

Pure Substance

Matter containing only one type of particle with a uniform composition that cannot be separated by physical means.

Elements

Substances composed of only one kind of atom, which can be classified as metals, non metals, or metalloids.

Metals

Elements that constitiute the greatest number in the periodic table, characterized as lustrous, malleable, ductile, good conductors, and solid at room temperature (except Mercury).

Nonmetals

Elements that lack metallic characteristics, appearing dull and brittle, and are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Metalloids

Elements that have the properties of both metals and nonmetals, such as Boron ($B$) and Arsenic ($As$).

Compounds

Substances composed of two or more kinds of atoms that are chemically bonded together in fixed proportions.

Acids

Compounds that donate $H^+$ ions in an aqueous solution, taste sour, and turn blue litmus paper to red.

Base

A compound that accepts $H^+$ ions in an aqueous solution, tastes bitter, and turns red litmus paper to blue.

Salt

A compound formed when an acid and a base react, such as table salt ($NaCl$).

Neutralization

A reaction which forms salt and water from an acid and a base, such as: $HCl + NaOH \rightarrow H_2O + NaCl$

Mixtures

Matter made up of two or more substances which are mixed together but are not chemically combined.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has only one phase and a uniform composition all throughout, such as a solution.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has two or more phases, such as halo-halo.

Colloids

Also called colloidal dispersions, these are heterogeneous mixtures with particles bigger than those of a solution.

Suspension

Heterogeneous mixtures that have particles bigger than those of colloids, such as a sand and water mixture.