Chemistry and States of Matter

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definition and branches of chemistry, geothermal heat pumps, and various primary, intermediate, and exotic states of matter.

Chemistry

The branch of science which deals with the properties, composition, and structure of substances, as well as the physical and chemical changes in matter and the laws or principles governing these changes.

Physical Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with the relationship between the composition and physical properties of matter along with changes in them.

Inorganic Chemistry

The study of the synthesis, composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds that contain little or no carbon, such as metals, non-metals, salts, acids, and bases.

Organic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with compounds of carbon (hydrocarbons and their derivatives) other than simple salts like carbonates, bicarbonates, oxides, and carbides.

Environmental Chemistry

The branch of chemistry which studies the components of the environment, natural chemical and biochemical phenomena, and the effects of human activities on the environment.

Analytical Chemistry

The branch of chemistry dealing with the analysis, separation, identification, and determination of the concentration of components present in material things.

Biochemistry

The branch of chemistry in which life is understood through chemical processes, studying chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms.

Nuclear Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with reactions taking place in the nucleus of an atom, radioactivity, nuclear processes, and transformations in the nuclei of atoms.

Polymer Chemistry

The branch of chemistry dealing with the properties, structure, and synthesis of polymers and macromolecules made by linking together monomers.

Geochemistry

The study of the chemical composition of Earth, its sources, and its minerals.

Medicinal Chemistry

The branch of chemistry dealing with the study of the interaction between drugs and biological targets, as well as the discovery, design, delivery, metabolism, and synthesis of new medicinal agents.

Astrochemistry

The study of molecules and ions present in space and interstellar space, including their abundance, reactions, and interaction with radiation.

Geothermal Heat Pump

A system that uses a pump to transfer underground water into buildings during the winter to heat them and during the summer to cool them.

Matter

Anything other than energy which carries mass and occupies volume.

States of Matter

The distinct physical forms in which matter can exist, such as solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Primary States of Matter

The three primary forms of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) classified on the basis of particle arrangement, intermolecular force strength, and distance between particles.

Gases

A primary state of matter whose molecules are widely apart with no order and no fixed volume, characterized by very weak intermolecular forces, easy compressibility, and low density.

Liquids

A primary state of matter where molecules are closely attached and move randomly, having a fixed volume but no fixed shape, with significant intermolecular forces and higher densities than gases.

Solids

A primary state of matter with a definite shape and fixed volume, consisting of closely packed particles that oscillate about fixed mean positions due to strong interatomic or intermolecular attractions.

Plasma

A state of matter composed of particles with very high kinetic energy, existing as a partially ionized gas containing electrons, ions, and photons.

Supercritical Fluids

Highly compressed intermediate states of matter occurring where liquid meets gas, exhibiting properties of both gases and liquids.

Liquid Crystal

An intermediate state of matter whose properties are between those of conventional liquids and crystalline solids, used in display devices like computer monitors and watches.

Graphene

A two-dimensional crystal made of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, known as a tough, flexible, and light material with high resistance.

Exotic States of Matter

States of matter that are not commonly encountered in everyday life, such as dark matter, Bose-Einstein condensate, nuclear matter, and quantum spin liquid.