Chemistry: States of Matter, Mixtures, Separation Techniques, and Petroleum

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering particulate nature and states of matter, diffusion, osmosis, solutions, suspensions, colloids, mixture separation methods, and fractional distillation of crude oil.

Chemistry

The study of the structure and behaviour of matter.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space (possesses both mass and volume).

Particulate Theory of Matter

The theory stating that all matter is made of particles that are in constant, random motion, have spaces between them, and have forces of attraction between them.

Physical Change

A change that occurs when the form of a substance is changed without altering its chemical composition (such as changing states by changing temperature).

Diffusion

The passive movement of particles from areas where they are highly concentrated to areas where their concentration is lower, caused by continuous random motion.

Aqueous Solution

A mixture in which water acts as the solvent.

Osmosis

A specialized type of diffusion referring specifically to the movement of water molecules through a differentially permeable membrane from an area of higher water molecule concentration toward an area of lower water molecule concentration.

Differentially Permeable Membrane

A barrier (also called semi-permeable or selectively permeable) containing microscopic pores that allows certain tiny substances like water molecules to pass through while blocking larger dissolved particles.

Deliquescent

A property describing a substance (such as sodium chloride) that readily absorbs moisture from its surroundings.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture containing very small particles (less than $1\,\text{nanometre}$ in diameter) that transmit light, do not settle upon standing, and cannot be separated by filtration.

Solvent

The major component of a solution that dissolves the solute.

Solute

The minor component of a solution that is dissolved in the solvent.

Suspension

A heterogeneous mixture containing minute particles visible to the naked eye (greater than $1000\,\text{nanometres}$ in diameter) that are opaque, settle upon standing, and can be separated by filtration.

Colloid

A heterogeneous mixture with particles intermediate in size (between $1$ and $1000\,\text{nanometres}$ in diameter) that do not settle upon standing, scatter light, and cannot be separated by filtration.

Solid Aerosol

A type of colloid consisting of a solid dispersed in a gas (e.g., smoke in air).

Liquid Aerosol

A type of colloid consisting of a liquid dispersed in a gas (e.g., fog and aerosol sprays in air).

Emulsion

A type of colloid consisting of a liquid dispersed in a liquid (e.g., milk and mayonnaise).

Gel

A type of colloid consisting of a solid dispersed in a liquid (e.g., gelatine and jelly).

Filtration

A separation method used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid in a suspension based on differences in particle size.

Residue

The solid component that remains on the filter paper after filtration.

Filtrate

The liquid that passes through the filter paper during filtration.

Evaporation

A rapid separation method where a solution is boiled until the liquid vaporises, leaving behind a solute that lacks a crystalline structure.

Crystallisation

A slow separation method where a liquid vaporises at room temperature without boiling, leaving behind a distinct crystalline structure (such as hydrated copper(II) sulfate crystals, $\text{CuSO}_4 \cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}$).

Simple Distillation

A method used to separate and collect both a dissolved solid and a liquid from a solution based on significant differences in boiling points using a distillation flask and a Liebig condenser.

Fractional Distillation

A separation method used to separate two or more miscible liquids with close boiling points based on differences in volatility using a fractionating column and a Liebig condenser.

Miscible Liquids

Liquids that mix completely with each other (e.g., ethanol and water).

Immiscible Liquids

Liquids that do not mix with each other (e.g., oil and water).

Separating Funnel

An apparatus used to separate two or more immiscible liquids based on their different densities.

Paper Chromatography

A separation method that separates dissolved substances (like ink dyes or food colourings) as they travel through absorbent paper based on their solubility in a solvent and their attraction to the paper.

Chromatogram

The pattern of separated substances formed on absorbent paper during paper chromatography.

Hydrocarbons

Organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

Refinery Gas

A crude oil fraction boiling below $25\,^\circ\text{C}$ with $1\text{ to }4$ carbon atoms, used as bottled gas for domestic cooking and heating, and as petrochemical feedstock.

Petrol (Gasoline)

A crude oil fraction boiling between $25\text{--}170\,^\circ\text{C}$ with $5\text{ to }10$ carbon atoms, used as solvents and fuel for internal combustion engines (cars, light aircraft).

Kerosene (Paraffin Oil)

A crude oil fraction boiling between $170\text{--}250\,^\circ\text{C}$ with $10\text{ to }14$ carbon atoms, used for cooking/heating fuel, kerosene lamps, jet fuel, or cracking into smaller hydrocarbons.

Diesel Oil

A crude oil fraction boiling between $250\text{--}350\,^\circ\text{C}$ with $14\text{ to }20$ carbon atoms, used as fuel for diesel engines (cars, trucks, buses, trains, generators) or for cracking.

Bitumen

A crude oil fraction boiling above $400\,^\circ\text{C}$ with more than $30$ carbon atoms, used for road surfacing and roofing waterproofing.