CHEM 111: Dimensional Analysis, Classification, and Properties of Matter

Flashcards defining core vocabulary terms from lecture notes on unit conversion, states of matter, pure substances, mixtures, and chemical versus physical properties.

Dimensional analysis

A problem-solving tool used to convert a given quantity to a different unit through the use of conversion factors.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Solid

A physical state of matter in which particles are held closely together in an ordered fashion, keeping a fixed shape that does not conform to its container.

Liquid

A physical state of matter in which particles are close together but not held rigidly in position, allowing the substance to conform to the shape of its container.

Gas

A physical state of matter in which particles have significant separation from each other and move freely, assuming both the shape and volume of their container.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element.

Element

A pure substance that consists of only one kind of atom.

Compound

A pure substance composed of two or more different elements combined in fixed proportions.

Molecule

A unit made of two or more atoms bonded together.

Substance

A type of matter consisting of a single element or a single compound.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances in variable proportions without fixed ratios or chemical formulas.

Homogeneous mixture

A mixture that is uniform in composition throughout, also referred to as a solution (examples include sweet tea, air, and bronze).

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture that is non-uniform in composition throughout (examples include Italian dressing, trail mix, and chocolate chip cookies).

Physical change

A process in which the physical state or appearance of matter changes, but its chemical identity and composition remain identical.

Chemical change

A process resulting in a change of composition where chemical bonds are broken or formed, causing original substances to disappear and new ones to form.

Physical property

A property that can be observed and measured without altering the chemical identity of the substance.

Chemical property

A property whose observation requires a substance to undergo a chemical reaction or change in composition.

Subscript

A number in a chemical formula that indicates how many atoms of a specific element are present in a molecule.