Chemistry Overview: Matter, Measurements, and Energy

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture notes on chemistry, focusing on basic definitions, principles of the scientific method, properties of matter, measurements, and energy.

Chemistry

The science that seeks to understand what matter does by studying what atoms and molecules do.

Atoms

Very small particles that compose all common matter.

Molecules

Particles made up of two or more atoms bonded together.

Chemical Bonds

Attachments that hold atoms together to form molecules.

Scientific Method

A way of learning that emphasizes observation and experimentation to produce knowledge.

Hypothesis

A tentative interpretation or explanation of observations.

Scientific Law

A brief statement that summarizes the results of many observations and predicts future ones.

Theory

A model that explains and provides underlying causes for observations and laws.

Law of Conservation of Mass

States that in a chemical reaction, matter is neither created nor destroyed.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume of a substance.

SI Units

International System of Units for scientific measurements, based on the metric system.

Significant Figures

Digits in a number that contribute to its precision.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs energy.

Specific Heat Capacity

The quantity of heat required to change the temperature of a given mass of a substance by 1 °C.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass; can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas.

Pure Substance

Matter that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances; includes elements and compounds.

Mixture

Two or more different substances, the proportions of which may vary.

Crystalline Solid

Atoms or molecules arranged in geometric patterns with long-range, repeating order.

Amorphous Solid

Atoms or molecules that do not have long-range order.

Chemical Bonds

Attractive forces that hold atoms together in molecules or compounds.

Carbon Dioxide Molecules

A colorless gas composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, held together in a straight line by chemical bonds

Water Molecules

A liquid composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, typically represented by the chemical formula H₂O. The appear bent

The Scientific Method consists of

Observation
Hypothesis
Laws
Theories