Chem1211 - Chapter 1 Homework Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts from Chapter 1: states of matter, SI base units, prefixes, exact numbers, significant figures, and common measurement conversions.

Accuracy

Closeness of a measured value to the true value.

Precision

Closeness of repeated measurements to each other.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded; can be broken down into elements by chemical means.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means.

Pure substance

Matter with a fixed composition and definite properties (includes elements and compounds).

Homogeneous mixture

A mixture with uniform composition throughout; components are not visually distinguishable.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture with non-ununiform composition; components are visually distinguishable.

Gas

A state of matter with no fixed shape or volume; it expands to fill its container.

Volume

The amount of space an object or substance occupies; measured in liters or milliliters.

Meter (m)

SI base unit of length.

Kilogram (kg)

SI base unit of mass.

Second (s)

SI base unit of time.

Kelvin (K) or Celsius (C)

SI base unit for temperature

Mole (mol)

SI base unit for amount of substance.

Giga (G)

Prefix meaning 10^9

Mega-

Prefix meaning 10^6

Kilo- (k)

Prefix meaning 10^3

Deci- (d)

Prefix meaning 10^-1

Centi-

Prefix meaning 10^-2

Milli- (m)

Prefix meaning 10^-3

Micro- (μ)

Prefix meaning 10^-6

Nano- (n)

Prefix meaning 10^-9

Pico- (p)

Prefix meaning 10^-12

Exact number

A number obtained by counting or by definition; considered exact and has infinite significant figures.

Conversion factor: 1 km = 1000 m

A fixed factor used to convert between units (1 kilometer equals 1000 meters).

Significant figures

Digits that carry meaning about precision in a measurement; rules govern how many are kept in calculations.