Introduction to General Chemistry Unit 1

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the first unit of introductory general chemistry, including definitions of important terms and concepts related to matter, measurements, and scientific methods.

Chemistry

The study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Matter

Stuff of which all materials are made; anything that has mass.

Hypothesis

A scientific guess that can be tested by experiment.

Model

A representation that serves to explain a scientific phenomenon.

Theory

A detailed explanation of the behavior of matter based on experiments; may be revised if new data warrant.

Basic Research

The search for knowledge for its own sake.

Applied Research

Work oriented toward the solution of a particular problem in industry or the environment.

Pure Substance

Made of a single element or compound.

Impure Substance

A mixture made of two or more compounds or elements.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which different components can be seen as individual substances.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which components are uniformly distributed.

Physical Property

A property that does not involve a change of substance into other substances.

Chemical Property

A type of property that characterizes the ability of a substance to change its chemical identity.

Physical Change

A change in which a substance changes its physical properties without changing its chemical identity.

Chemical Change

A change that results in the formation of new chemical substances.

Density

Mass per unit volume; D = m/v.

Metric Prefix: Mega

Represents million (10^6).

Metric Prefix: Kilo

Represents thousand (10^3).

Metric Prefix: Centi

Represents hundredth (10^-2).

Metric Prefix: Milli

Represents thousandth (10^-3).

Energy

Capacity for doing work; ability to exert a force and move something.

Potential Energy

Stored energy.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of a moving object.

Conversion Factor

A ratio used to express a quantity in different units.

Scientific Notation

A mathematical expression used to represent very large or small numbers.

Volume

Amount of space a material occupies.

Mass

Amount of material (resistance to acceleration), measured in kilograms or grams.

Weight

The force of gravity acting on an object.

Metric Unit of Length

Meter (m).

Metric Unit of Mass

Kilogram (kg).

Metric Unit of Volume

Liter (L).

Metric Unit of Energy

Joule (J).

Measurement Device for Mass

Balance.

Measurement Device for Volume

Graduated cylinder.

Temperature Conversion Formula to Kelvin

K = °C + 273.15.