Chapter 1: Chemistry: The Study of Matter

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of chemistry, including fields of study, properties of matter, scientific methods, and measurement techniques.

Chemistry

The study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Metallurgy

The extraction of pure metals from ore (raw earth material) via smelting (heat decomposition).

Alloy

A purposeful mixing of metals for desirable properties, such as Bronze (Copper with Tin) or Steel (Iron with Carbon).

Apothecary

Considered the original pharmacists; they used chemicals and herbs for medicinal purposes.

Philosophical Atomism

Democritus' theory that all matter is made up of tiny identical, indivisible particles called "Atomos."

Alchemy

A medieval science aiming to achieve transmutation of base metals into gold, discovery of a universal cure for disease, and a means of indefinitely prolonging life.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-containing compounds, which make up over $80\%$ of known substances.

Inorganic Chemistry

The study of substances without carbon, such as minerals, gems, and metal alloys.

Biochemistry

The study of organic chemical processes in living things involving biomolecules like proteins, DNA, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Analytical Chemistry

The branch of chemistry focused on creating techniques for quantitative measurements and developing methods to separate compounds in a mixture.

Physical Chemistry

The study of energetic forces between substances, energy release from reactions, motion of particles, and rates of reactions.

Qualitative observations

Observations that describe the quality of an object using adjectives such as color, taste, texture, and appearance.

Quantitative observations

Observations that describe an object using numbers and units, including count, length, weight, and volume.

Hypothesis

A temporary, testable, and measurable explanation for a set of facts.

Scientific Theory

A unifying principle that attempts to explain a large body of experimental observations.

Scientific Law

A statement, often expressed as a mathematical equation, that can predict experimental results based on initial conditions.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Substances

Pure forms of matter that have definite composition and distinct properties.

Physical Properties

Characteristics that can be measured or observed without changing the composition or identity of a substance, such as density, malleability, and conductivity.

Chemical Properties

Characteristics observed as a substance chemically reacts into a new substance, such as flammability, radioactivity, or acidity.

Homogenous mixture

A mixture where the composition is the same throughout, such as solutions (soft drinks), air, or alloys.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture where the composition is not uniform throughout, such as oil and water or iron filings in sand.

Colloids

Heterogeneous mixtures that appear homogenous, featuring larger clusters of insoluble substances that exhibit the Tyndall effect (light-scattering).

Distillation

The separation of mixtures by their different boiling points.

Extraction

Separating mixtures by their differing solubility in various solvents.

Filtration

Passing mixtures through a barrier to separate components by their different phases or sizes.

Centrifugation

Separating mixtures by their varying densities by pushing more dense materials further outward.

Extensive property

A property that depends upon how much matter is being considered, such as mass, length, or volume.

Intensive property

A property that does not depend upon how much matter is being considered, such as density, temperature, or color.

Physical change

A change that does not alter the composition or identity of a substance, such as phase changes or dissolving sugar in water.

Chemical change

A change that alters the identity of the substances involved, often indicated by precipitate formation, color change, odor, or gas production.

Element

A substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.

Compound

A substance composed of multiple elements chemically united (bonded) that can only be broken down by chemical means.

Borosilicate Glass

Laboratory glassware made of $SiO_2 + B_2O_3$ designed to withstand higher temperatures and exhibit lower thermal expansion.

Toxic

Poisonous to living organisms; can be acute (hurts on contact) or chronic (slow-developing).

Corrosive

A substance that causes damage or chemical burns on contact, such as Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

Fluid

A state of matter having an undefined shape, encompassing both liquids and gases.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

A theory describing the motion of particles in various states of matter, ranging from minimal vibration in solids to random, fast movement in gases.

Absolute Zero

The theoretical temperature where all atomic movement stops, defined as $0\,K$ or $-273.15^{\circ}C$.

Mass

A measure of the quantity of matter, with the SI unit being the kilogram ($kg$).

Weight

The force that gravity exerts on an object, calculated as $\text{mass} \times g$.

Density

A derived SI unit calculated as $\text{mass} / \text{volume}$, commonly expressed in $g/cm^3$ or $g/mL$.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Precision

How close a set of measurements are to each other, indicating the degree of exactness in a measurement.

Significant Figures

Digits used to represent the precision of a measurement and to prevent uncertainty or error during unit conversions.