Matter, Properties, and Separation Techniques Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the general chemistry lecture transcript, including classifications of matter, measurement definitions, properties, particle mixtures, and physical separation techniques.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Scalar Quantity

A numerical value of a physical magnitude with its unit.

Precision

A measure of how closely individual measurements agree with one another.

Accuracy

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

Pure Substance

Matter that has distinct properties and a composition that does not vary from sample to sample, such as salt ($\text{NaCl}$) or water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Element

Substances that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances, where each element is composed of only one kind of atom.

Compound

Substances composed of two or more elements that contain two or more kinds of atoms.

Mixture

Combinations of two or more substances in which each substance retains its chemical identity.

Suspension

A mixture where particles are dispersed through a liquid or gas but do not dissolve, having particles bigger than those of a solution ($1000\text{ nm}$ or larger) that settle under the influence of gravity.

Colloid

A mixture with particles between $1\text{ nm}$ and $1000\text{ nm}$ ($1\text{ }\frac{\text{nm}}{\text{meter}}$ / $1\text{ }\times\text{ }10^{-6}\text{ m}$ range) that do not settle and remain suspended.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture in which the substances can be mixed at a microscopic level.

Atomic Number

The number of protons or electrons in a neutral atom.

Atomic Mass

The total sum of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Physical Properties

Observable characteristics of matter such as physical state, luster, solubility, malleability, ductility, color, and viscosity.

Chemical Properties

Characteristics that describe the ability of matter to change from one type of matter to another through chemical change, such as flammability, toxicity, reactivity, and acidity.

Extensive Properties

Physical properties that depend on or are affected by the amount of substance present, such as mass, weight, and volume.

Intensive Properties

Physical properties that do not depend on the amount of substance present, such as melting point, boiling point, electrical conductivity, and heat conductivity.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion, measured in Joules ($\text{J}$) as its SI unit.

Kinetic Theory of Matter

A theory explaining the states of matter based on the idea that matter is composed of tiny particles that are always in motion.

Physical Change

A process where a substance changes its physical appearance but not its chemical composition.

Chemical Change

Also called a chemical reaction; a process in which a substance is transformed chemically.

Filtration

A separation technique where a mixture is put through a paper filter to separate a solid from a liquid.

Distillation

A separation method where liquid is boiled and condensed to separate homogeneous mixtures, such as separating water from salt.

Chromatography

A separation method that uses the different properties of substances to adhere to the surface of solids.

Gradiation

A mechanical method of separation used to separate two or more solids based on particle size.

Decantation

A separation technique based on differences in the densities of immiscible materials, used for solid-liquid or liquid-liquid mixtures.

Sublimation (Separation)

A separation technique where one material changes directly to gas without becoming a liquid first, separating solid-liquid or solid-solid mixtures.

Magnetic Separation

A separation technique used for solid-solid mixtures in which only one material is magnetic and can be separated using a magnet.

Evaporation

A separation technique used to separate the liquid components from the solid components in a solid-liquid mixture.

Law of Conservation of Matter

A fundamental principle stating that the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products ($\text{Mass Reactants} = \text{Mass Products}$).