Week 1 Physical Science Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Week 1 readings on states of matter, measurement, and conservation of mass.

State of matter

A physical phase in which any given type of matter can exist (solid, liquid, gas, or plasma).

Solid

State of matter with a fixed volume and a fixed shape.

Liquid

State of matter with a fixed volume that takes the shape of its container.

Gas

State of matter that takes both the volume and shape of its container.

Physical property

A characteristic of matter that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical makeup.

Metric ruler

Measuring tool marked in SI units—millimeters and centimeters—for determining length.

Millimeter (mm)

SI unit of length equal to one-thousandth of a meter; 10 mm make 1 cm.

Centimeter (cm)

SI unit of length equal to one-hundredth of a meter; contains 10 millimeters.

SI units

International System of Units used by scientists for consistent measurements.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object, commonly measured in grams or kilograms.

Electronic balance

Digital device used to measure small masses accurately by displaying a numerical readout.

pH meter

Scientific instrument that measures the acidity or basicity of a liquid.

Scientific measuring device

Any sensitive instrument used to obtain quantitative data in science experiments.

Conservation of mass

Principle that mass is neither created nor destroyed during physical or chemical changes.

Volume

The amount of space an object or substance occupies.

Water vapor

Gaseous form of water produced, for example, when wood burns.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Colorless gas formed when carbon-containing materials burn in oxygen.