The Nature of Chemistry - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Lesson 1: The Nature of Chemistry, including matter, atomic theory, branches of chemistry, and matter changes.

Chemistry

The science that deals with the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space; exists in states such as solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Atoms

The basic building blocks of matter; the smallest unit of an element that retains its properties.

Molecules

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Elements

Substances composed of only one type of atom.

Compounds

Substances formed when two or more elements are chemically combined.

Reactions

Processes that involve rearrangement of atoms and molecules.

Organic Chemistry

Branch of chemistry dealing with carbon-containing compounds.

Inorganic Chemistry

Branch of chemistry studying compounds not primarily carbon-based.

Analytical Chemistry

Branch focused on identifying and quantifying components of substances.

Biochemistry

Study of chemical processes that occur within living organisms.

Environmental Chemistry

Study of chemical processes occurring in the environment.

Industrial Chemistry

Application of chemistry in industrial processes.

Pure Substance

Matter with uniform and definite composition; includes elements and compounds.

Mixture

Physical blend of at least two substances with variable composition; parts retain properties.

Heterogeneous Mixture

Mixture not uniform in composition (e.g., chocolate chip cookie, gravel, soil).

Homogeneous Mixture (Solutions)

Uniform composition throughout; examples include Kool-aid, air, salt water.

Physical Change

Change that does not alter the chemical identity; involves state or shape changes and is usually reversible.

Chemical Change

Change that forms new substances with different chemical properties.

Indicators of Chemical Change

Color change, gas production, formation of a precipitate, temperature or light change.

Filtration

Separation of a solid from a liquid in a heterogeneous mixture by particle size.

Distillation

Separation of a solution by boiling points.

States of Matter

Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, each with distinct properties.

Elements and Compounds (Examples)

Elements: Gold (Au), Oxygen (O2), Iron (Fe), Hydrogen (H2); Compounds: Water (H2O), Sodium chloride (NaCl), Carbon dioxide (CO2).