Chemistry, Electricity, Ecology, and Astronomy Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to chemistry, electricity, ecology, and astronomy as presented in the lecture notes.

Particle Theory of Matter

States that all matter is made up of tiny particles that are constantly moving, with spaces between them, and are attracted to each other.

Solid

State of matter where particles vibrate in place, are very close together, and have a fixed shape and volume.

Liquid

State of matter where particles slide past each other, are close together, and have fixed volume but no fixed shape.

Gas

State of matter where particles move freely, are far apart, and have no fixed shape or volume.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that retains the properties of that element.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that move in energy levels (shells) outside the nucleus.

Density

A measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume; calculated as Density = Mass ÷ Volume.

Ionic Bonding

Occurs when electrons are transferred from a metal to a non-metal, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by moving particles.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that appears the same throughout, with components fully blended.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has visibly separate parts, with components unevenly distributed.

Physical Properties

Characteristics that can be observed without forming a new substance.

Chemical Change

A change that results in the formation of a new substance.

Electric Current

The flow of electrons through a conductor, measured in amperes (A).

Voltage

The potential difference in electric circuits, measured in volts (V), indicating energy per charge.

Resistors

Materials that oppose the flow of electric current, measured in ohms (Ω).

Food Chain

A simple, linear representation of energy flow in an ecosystem.

Population Growth - Exponential Growth

Growth pattern characterized by unlimited resources, depicted as a J-shaped curve.

Symbiosis

A close, long-term interaction between two different biological species, where at least one benefits.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.

Photosynthesis Equation

CO₂ + H₂O + sunlight → Glucose + O₂

Asteroid

A small rocky body that orbits the Sun, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Comet

An object composed of ice, dust, and rock that, when near the Sun, develops a gas tail.

Nuclear Fusion

The process where two or more small atomic nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus, releasing a significant amount of energy.

Galaxy

A massive system comprised of billions of stars, which can be classified as spiral, elliptical, or irregular.