Chapter 3 Measurement and Chemical Calculations

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 3: measurement, scientific notation, units, significant figures, density, and related calculation concepts.

Scientific notation

A method of writing numbers as a.bcd × 10^e, where the coefficient a.bcd is between 1 and 10 and e is the exponent.

Coefficient

The a.bcd part in scientific notation; the number between 1 and 10.

Exponent

The e in 10^e; indicates how far the decimal point has moved; its sign shows the direction of movement.

Decimal to scientific notation

Process of rewriting a number by moving the decimal after the first nonzero digit and writing it as a coefficient × 10^n.

Scientific notation to decimal

Converting a number from a × 10^e form to ordinary decimal form by moving the decimal point according to the exponent.

Equivalency

Two quantities with different units that represent the same property.

Conversion factor

A rational expression that relates two equivalent quantities and is used to convert units.

Quantity

The product of a numerical value and a unit; Quantity = Value × Unit.

Mass

A measure of the quantity of matter in an object.

Weight

The measure of the gravitational force acting on a mass.

SI units

International System of Units; seven base units, decimal-based, defined by constants; commonly used in science.

Kilogram (kg)

SI base unit of mass; the basic mass unit (defined in relation to a platinum–iridium cylinder in many descriptions).

Meter (m)

SI base unit of length; defined in relation to the speed of light.

Liter (L)

SI unit of volume; 1 L = 1000 mL = 1000 cm^3.

Cubic meter (m^3)

SI unit of volume; 1 m^3 = 1000 L.

Cubic centimeter (cm^3)

Unit of volume equal to 1 mL; 1 cm^3 = 1 mL.

Kelvin (K)

Absolute temperature scale; TK = T°C + 273; 0 K is absolute zero.

Celsius (°C)

Temperature scale with 0°C at freezing and 100°C at boiling.

Fahrenheit (°F)

Temperature scale with 32°F at freezing and 212°F at boiling.

Leading zeroes

Zeros to the left of the first nonzero digit; not significant.

Trailing zeros

Zeros at the end of a number; significance depends on decimal point presence; often clarified by scientific notation.

Significant figures

Digits known with certainty plus one uncertain digit; the number of significant figures reflects measurement precision.

Exact numbers

Numbers with infinite significant figures; e.g., counting numbers; no uncertainty.

Rounding

Process of reducing a number to a specified number of significant figures by looking at the first dropped digit.

Density

Mass per unit volume (D = m/V); commonly expressed as g/mL or g/cm^3 and can depend on temperature.

Proportionality

Direct proportionality between two quantities; represented by a constant of proportionality (e.g., m ∝ V or m = D × V).

Proportionality constant

Nonzero constant that relates two proportional quantities; converts proportionality into an equation.

Dimensional analysis

Problem-solving method using conversion factors to cancel units and solve for the desired quantity.

1 liter to cubic centimeters

1 L = 1000 cm^3; equivalently, 1 mL = 1 cm^3.

USCS (United States Customary System)

The customary system used in the United States; includes units like inch, pound, gallon; often converted to metric.

Prefix mnemonic (metric prefixes)

Hundreds: kilo-, mega-, giga-; thousands: milli-, micro-, nano-, pico-; prefixes denote powers of ten (e.g., kilo = 10^3, milli = 10^-3).