Describing and Classifying Matter

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, definitions, and phase change graph from the Unit 3 Test Review on Describing and Classifying Matter.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture that is uniform throughout and contains solutes dissolved in a solvent.

Solvent

The substance that does the dissolving; the substance present in greater quantity.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved; the substance present in smaller quantity.

Water

The most common solvent because it can dissolve just about any substance.

Miscibility

The ability of two liquids to be mixed together.

Miscible

A term describing liquids that are mixable (for example, water and acetic acid/vinegar).

Immiscible

A term describing liquids that do not mix (for example, oil and water).

Colloids

A mixture composed of two phases of matter that contains small particles that do not separate.

Mixtures

Two or more substances that are physically combined.

Substances (Pure Substance)

Matter that cannot be broken down by physical means.

Temperature

A measure of kinetic energy (the moving energy of molecules and atoms).

Kinetic Energy

The moving energy of molecules and atoms, which increases as temperature increases.

Chemical Changes

Changes that are irreversible, in which atoms are rearranged to form new substances.

Intermolecular Forces

Forces between molecules that are weaker than interatomic forces.

Precipitate

Solid particles that emerge out of solution and settle at the bottom during a chemical reaction.

Photosynthesis

A chemical reaction going from $H_2O$, $CO_2$, and energy to form sugar and oxygen; it is an endothermic process because energy is stored in sugar.

Endothermic Process

A process or reaction in which energy is in the reactant and gets stored.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction in which heat is given off (heat exits).

Ions

Charged species produced when a salt dissolves in water (for example, $NaCl \rightarrow Na^+ + Cl^-$).

Phase Changes

Processes where matter transitions from one state of matter to another.

Freezing

The phase change in which a substance transitions from liquid to solid ($\text{Liquid} \rightarrow \text{Solid}$).

Heating Curve of Water

A graph plotting temperature versus time, showing phase changes and states of water including ice below $0^\bot\text{C}$, an ice and water mixture at $0^\bot\text{C}$, liquid water, a water and steam mixture at $100^\bot\text{C}$, and steam up to $140^\bot\text{C}$.