Chapter 1: Matter, Energy, and Measurement

States of Matter

The three states are solid, liquid, and gas, each with distinct properties.

Solid

A state of matter that has a fixed volume and shape.

Liquid

A state of matter that has a fixed volume; shape will adapt to the container.

Gas

A state of matter that has no fixed volume or shape.

Aqueous

A solution where water is the solvent; a solid is dissolved in water.

Pure Substance

Matter with distinct properties and a composition that does not vary from sample to sample.

Matter

The physical material of the universe; anything that has mass and takes up space.

Compounds

Substances made up of two or more elements in fixed proportions.

Atoms

The smallest particles that are the building blocks of matter and cannot be divided further.

Molecules

Combinations of two or more atoms.

Mixtures

Combinations of two or more substances where each retains its chemical identity.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that varies in composition.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has a uniform composition.

Physical Properties

Observable characteristics of a substance without changing its composition.

Chemical Properties

Describe how a substance may change or react to form other substances.

Intensive Properties

Do not depend on the amount of sample being examined.

Extensive Properties

Depend on the amount of sample being examined.

Elements

Substances that combine to create matter and cannot be decomposed into simpler substances.

Physical Changes

Alter the physical appearance of a substance without changing its composition.

Chemical Changes

Transform a substance into a new substance through a chemical reaction.

SI Units

The preferred metric units for science.

Giga (G)

Has the value of 1 × 10⁹

Mega (M)

Has the value of 1 × 10⁶

kilo (k)

Has the value of 1 × 10³

centi ( c )

Has the value of 1 × 10^-2

milli (m)

Has the value of 1 × 10^-3

micro (μ)

Has the value of 1 × 10^-6

nano (n)

Has the value of 1 × 10^-9

Mass

A measure of the amount of material in an object; SI unit is the kilogram.

Length

A measure of distance; SI unit is the meter.

Volume

A derived unit from length; common units used are liters and meters.

Temperature

A measure of the hotness or coldness of an object; SI unit is Kelvin.

Celsius to Kelvin

K = C+273.15

Celsius to Fahrenheit

F=\dfrac{9}{5}\left( C+32\right)

Fahrenheit to Celsius

C=\dfrac{5}{9}\left( F-32\right)

Density

The amount of mass in a unit volume of a substance; density is equal to mass over volume (d=\dfrac{m}{v})

Precision

A measure how closely individual measurements agree with on another.

Accuracy

How closely individual measurements agree with the correct or “true” value.

Significant Figures

Digits in a measured quantity that indicate precision.

Energy Units

The SI unit for energy is the joule (J), with the kilojoule (kJ) and calorie (cal) also commonly used.