Lesson 1 - Classification of Matter

Scientific Investigation

A systematic process used to answer questions and gather information through observation and experimentation.

Precision

Refers to the repeatability of measurements; how consistently results can be reproduced.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the accepted or true value.

Scientific Notation

A way of expressing very large or very small numbers using powers of ten.

Significant Digits

The number of digits in a measurement that carry meaning contributing to its precision.

Chemical Property

A characteristic of a substance that is observed during a chemical reaction, revealing the substance's ability to change into different substances.

Physical Property

A characteristic of a substance that can be observed without changing the substance's chemical identity.

Plasma

A state of matter consisting of charged particles, typically found in stars and formed by high-energy gases.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances where each retains its individual properties.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that has a uniform composition throughout; also known as a solution.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture with a composition that is not uniform; components can often be seen and separated.

Compound

A chemical combination of two or more different elements that cannot be separated by physical means.

Element

A pure substance that consists of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Measurement

The process of obtaining the magnitude of a quantity, often using tools like rulers or scales.

WHMIS Symbols

Visual symbols designed to provide information about hazardous materials in Canadian workplaces.