Chemistry in Everyday Life: Classifications and Properties of Matter

This flashcard set covers the classifications of matter, phases of matter, phase transition processes, physical and chemical properties, and common household consumer products according to the chemistry handout.

Mixture

A substance with varying compositions.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture in which the components can still be identified, such as garden salad or trail mix of nuts.

Colloid

A mixture with observed properties as homogeneous mixtures, but heterogeneous when subjected to tests; examples include milk and styling gel.

Homogeneous mixture (Solution)

A mixture with a very uniform composition, such as brine (saltwater) or orange juice drink.

Pure Substance

A substance with uniform composition.

Element

A substance composing of only one kind of atom, such as Darmstadtium ($Ds$) or Hydrogen ($H$).

Compound

A substance composing of molecules, a combination of atoms which are made up of 2 or more elements, such as Aqua Fortis ($HNCO_3$) or Water ($H_2O$).

Solid

The state of matter with a defined appearance, its own shape, and a very rigid molecular structure with very little to no molecular movement.

Liquid

The state of matter with molecular movement dictated by flow; it has no shape of its own and take the shape of its container due to a loose molecular structure.

Gas

The state of matter with high molecular movement and a molecular structure looser than liquid, such as the air we breathe.

Plasma

The state of matter with very high molecular movement caused by a gas absorbing energy from heat; high temperature versions glow a certain color.

Melting

The process of adding heat to a solid, causing its form to become a liquid, such as reforming blocks of iron ($Fe$).

Evaporation

The process of adding heat to a liquid, causing its loose molecular bonds to break further to turn into a gas.

Ionization

The process of adding heat to a gas, adding energy to it and charging the molecules into ions to form plasma.

Recombination

The process of removing heat in a plasma, returning the ions to a ground state to become a gas; also called deionization.

Condensation

The process of transferring energy in gas molecules to the surrounding area, forcing the molecules to form bonds and coalesce into a liquid.

Freezing

The process of transferring heat in liquids to the surrounding area, forcing the molecules to reform and bond into a solid, such as solidifying liquid Mercury ($Hg$) with liquid Nitrogen ($N_2(aq)$).

Sublimation

The process of adding energy to a solid, dissipating into a gas without transitioning to the liquid phase, such as frozen Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) at room temperature.

Deposition

The process of transferring energy from gas molecules to the surrounding area, forcing them to combine and make clumped gas molecules that reform into a solid.

Physical Property

The property of matter in which the material can be quantified using measurements or assessed by the five senses, such as mass, color, and length.

Chemical Property

The property in which the material is assessed from its chemical structure, processes, and results, such as flammability, toxicity, and enthalpy.

Extensive Property

The property in which the material is dependent on its physical properties; it changes if any physical property (like mass, area, or length) changes.

Intensive Property

The property in which the material is independent on its physical properties, such as color, temperature, or density.

Food Additives

Substances added to food and/or beverages to improve flavor, appearance, or to preserve the natural taste of food.

Active Ingredients

Substances that are biologically active, used mostly in pharmaceutical drugs and commodities like soap and powders.

Cleaning Agents

Substances used to remove dirt, dust, stains, clutter, and foul odor, sometimes killing harmful microorganisms.

Cosmetics

Substances that enhance the consumer's appearance or improve their fragrance.