Chapter 1: Matter, Measurement, and Problem Solving

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental chemistry definitions, classifications of matter, physical and chemical changes, standard SI units, property types, measurement error, significant figures, and dimensional analysis from Chapter 1.

Atoms

Submicroscopic particles that serve as the fundamental building blocks of ordinary matter.

Molecules

Two or more atoms attached together in a specific geometrical arrangement by bonds.

Chemistry

The science that seeks to understand the behavior of matter by studying the behavior of atoms and molecules.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances.

Compound

A pure substance composed of two or more elements that can be separated into simpler substances.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that is not uniform throughout, where the composition varies from one region to another.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has a uniform composition throughout.

Physical Change

A process that alters state or appearance without altering the chemical composition of the matter.

Chemical Change

A process that alters the composition of matter by transforming original substances into different substances.

SI Units

An agreed-upon set of international standard units (Système International) used by scientists for comparison of measurements.

Kelvin Scale

An absolute temperature scale with no negative numbers where $0\,\text{K}$ is absolute zero, and temperature is directly proportional to the average amount of kinetic energy.

Absolute Zero

The zero point on the Kelvin scale ($0\,\text{K}$`), corresponding to $-273\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ or $-459\,^{\circ}\text{F}$, where thermal energy is at a minimum.

Extensive Property

A property whose value depends on the quantity of matter present, such as mass or volume.

Intensive Property

A property whose value is independent of the quantity of matter present, often used to identify the type of substance.

Density

An intensive property defined as the ratio of mass to volume: $\text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}}$.

Significant Figures

The non-place-holding digits in a reported measurement that convey the precision of the value.

Exact Numbers

Values known with complete certainty that have an unlimited number of significant figures, arising from counting individual items, defined relationships, or integer constants.

Accuracy

An indication of how close a experimental measurement comes to the actual or true value of the quantity.

Precision

An indication of how close repeated measurements are to each other, representing reproducibility.

Random Errors

Unpredictable fluctuations that affect precision, having no specific cause, which tend to average out with repeated trials.

Systematic Errors

Consistent errors caused by limitations in instruments, techniques, or experimental design that affect accuracy and do not average out over repeated trials.

Dimensional Analysis

A problem-solving strategy that uses units as a guide to carrying out calculations and setting up conversion factors.