Chapter 1.1 - Chemistry in Context (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1.1: Chemistry in Context, including the Scientific Method and the three domains of chemistry (Macroscopic, Microscopic, Symbolic).

Chemistry

The science that studies matter—its composition, properties, structure, and the changes it undergoes.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for investigating phenomena and acquiring knowledge, typically involving observation, a testable hypothesis, experiments, and the development of laws or theories.

Observation

The act of noticing and describing phenomena or events in the natural world.

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess about a relationship or mechanism that can be examined by experiments.

Experiment

A controlled procedure designed to test a hypothesis and collect data.

Law (in science)

A concise statement that describes a reproducible pattern in nature.

Theory

A well-supported explanation integrating a broad set of observations and laws about a natural phenomenon.

Macroscopic domain

The portion of chemistry concerned with visible, large-scale matter and phenomena that can be seen directly.

Microscopic domain

The portion of chemistry dealing with atoms, molecules, and other entities too small to see without a microscope.

Symbolic domain

The portion of chemistry that uses symbols, formulas, and models to represent substances and reactions.

Density

A property describing how much mass is packed into a given volume.

Flammability

A property describing how readily a substance catches fire or supports combustion.

Chemical symbols and formulas

The symbolic representations used to denote elements and compounds in chemical notation.

Symbolic representations

Models such as formulas, drawings, or diagrams used to describe chemical species and reactions.

Interdisciplinary nature of chemistry

Chemistry relates to and underpins many other scientific disciplines, acting as a central science in understanding patterns in nature.