BC 102 General Chemistry: Matter and Its Properties

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the branches of chemistry, states of matter, and physical/chemical properties of matter based on the provided lecture transcript.

Chemistry

The study of the properties and behavior of matter, which is central to our fundamental understanding of many science-related fields.

Inorganic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that studies the properties, composition, and behavior of elements and compounds that contain little or no carbon, such as salts, metals, and minerals.

Organic Chemistry

The study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds, useful in medicine, pharmacology, and industry.

Analytical Chemistry

The branch that studies and uses instruments and methods used to separate, identify, and quantify matter.

Biochemistry

The study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms, also known as biological chemistry.

Physical Chemistry

The study of macroscopic and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physics principles such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, and quantum chemistry.

Theoretical Chemistry

The discipline that uses quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, and statistical mechanics to explain and predict the structures and dynamics of chemical systems.

Environmental Chemistry

The study of chemical processes that occur in water, air, terrestrial, and living environments, and the effects of human activity on them.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space; it is composed of tiny particles called atoms.

Atom

Derived from the Greek word "atomos" (indivisible), it consists of subatomic particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons.

Solid

A state of matter with a definite volume and definite shape, characterized by particles that are closely packed together, rigid, and vibrate in fixed positions.

Liquid

A state of matter with a definite volume but no definite shape; its particles have more kinetic energy than solids and can flow past each other.

Gas

A state of matter with no definite volume and no definite shape; particles have high kinetic energy, move past each other freely, and flow.

Plasma

A state of matter where gas particles are energized so much that electrons are stripped away, forming a mixture of ions and free electrons.

Bose-Einstein Condensate

A state of matter formed at temperatures near absolute zero where particles lose their individual identity and behave as a single quantum entity.

Physical Property

Characteristics perceived by the senses that can be observed, measured, or tested without changing the composition of matter.

Intensive Property

A type of physical property that does not depend on the amount of matter present, such as color, hardness, and boiling point.

Extensive Property

A type of physical property that depends on the amount of matter present, such as volume, mass, length, and shape.

Hardness

The ability of a material to resist scratching.

Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid changes into a gas.

Solubility

The property of a substance to dissolve in a solid, liquid, or gas.

Luster

A property of a material pertaining to the interaction of light on the surface of metals.

Malleability

The ability of a metal to be hammered or shaped into thin sheets without breaking or cracking.

Ductility

The ability of a metal to be drawn into thin wires.

Brittleness

The tendency of a material to break even when a small amount of force is applied.

Density

Defined as the mass of an object per unit volume.

Chemical Property

Properties involved in the transformation of substances into other materials that possess different structures and compositions.

Flammability

The ability of matter to burn.

Reactivity

The ability of matter to chemically combine with another substance.

Oxidation

The ability of a substance to react with oxygen.

Corrosiveness

The ability of a substance to chemically damage or corrode other materials.

Acidity

The ability of a substance to donate hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a solution.

Basicity (Alkalinity)

The ability of a substance to accept hydrogen ions ($H^+$) or produce hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) in a solution.

Chemical Stability

The ability of a substance to resist chemical change under normal conditions.

Toxicity

The ability of a substance to cause harmful effects on living organisms through chemical action.

Explosiveness

The ability of a substance to undergo a rapid chemical reaction that releases large amounts of energy and gases.

Pure Substance

A type of matter with a fixed and uniform composition throughout that cannot be separated by physical means.

Element

A substance which cannot be decomposed to simpler substances.

Compound

A substance which can be decomposed into simpler substances and has a definite composition.

Law of Constant Composition

Also known as the Law of Definite Proportions, it states the relative number of atoms of each element in a compound is the same in any sample.

Molecular Compound

A compound formed when two or more nonmetals share electrons, also known as covalent compounds.

Ionic Compound

A compound formed when a metal transfers electrons to a nonmetal, creating positive and negative ions held by electrostatic attraction.

Mixture

Matter that exhibits the properties of the substances that make it up and can vary in composition.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has uniform composition and properties throughout; also called a solution.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that does not have uniform composition and properties throughout.