Introduction to Physical and Chemical Properties and Matter Classification

Flashcards reviewing physical vs chemical properties/changes, atomic and molecular structures, types of matter, and fundamental physical laws.

Endothermic Change

A change in which a substance absorbs heat or energy from its surroundings, such as ice absorbing heat from a room.

Exothermic Change

A change in which surroundings release energy or heat to a substance, such as a room losing heat to ice.

Evaporation

Any change of state from liquid to gas that occurs before reaching the boiling temperature.

Physical Property

A property of a substance that, when observed, does not result in a change in the identity of the substance.

Chemical Property

A property that, when observed, alters or changes the identity of the substance.

Physical Change

A change that does not alter the chemical identity of a substance, including all state changes and dissolving processes.

Chemical Change

A change in which a substance undergoes a chemical reaction, altering its identity to form new substances.

Atom

The smallest unit or particle that can exist that will still retain the characteristics of the element.

Molecule

The smallest unit composed of two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Diatomic Elements

Seven elements ($H_2$, $O_2$, $N_2$, $Cl_2$, $Br_2$, $I_2$, $F_2$) that naturally occur as bound pairs of two atoms, remembered by the name 'Hunkelbraith'.

Monoatomic Elements

Elements that naturally occur as clusters of individual single atoms, which includes the majority of elements such as iron ($Fe$).

Ozone

A triatomic molecule made of three oxygen atoms ($O_3$) that smells like fish, turns solutions blue when bubbled into them, and is part of the atmosphere protecting against skin cancer.

Ion

A positively or negatively charged atom or group of atoms.

Pure Substance

A type of matter that can be completely identified with one single formula, categorized as either an element or a compound.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that looks like a single uniform substance throughout when observed, such as salt completely dissolved in water.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which more than one distinct component can be seen, such as sand mixed in water or oil mixed with vinegar.

Electrostatic Law of Attraction

A fundamental physical law stating that opposite charges attract each other and like charges repel each other.