MLC School Year 9 Science - Materials Study Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the Year 9 Science Materials study notes, including organic chemistry, crude oil fractions, alkanes, combustion, polymers, Earth's resources, and scientific inquiry skills.

Organic Compounds

Carbon-based molecules covalently bonded to hydrogen (and often oxygen or nitrogen), such as methane ($CH_4$), glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$), and ethanol.

Inorganic Compounds

Molecules that generally do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, such as water ($H_2O$), salt ($NaCl$), and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

Fractional Distillation

The separation of crude oil (a complex mixture of hydrocarbons) by boiling points in a fractionating tower that is hot at the bottom and cool at the top.

Refinery Gases (LPG)

Crude oil fraction containing the shortest hydrocarbon chains with the lowest boiling point, used for heating and cooking.

Petrol/Gasoline

A fraction of crude oil used as fuel for cars.

Kerosene

A fraction of crude oil used as jet aircraft fuel.

Diesel Oil

A fraction of crude oil used as fuel for trucks and trains.

Bitumen

Crude oil fraction containing the longest hydrocarbon chains with the highest boiling point, used for road surfacing.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula $C_n H_{2n+2}$, ranging from methane ($CH_4$) to octane ($C_8H_{18}$).

Complete Combustion

Combustion with a plentiful or abundant oxygen supply that produces carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and water ($H_2O$), releasing high energy with a clean blue flame.

Incomplete Combustion

Combustion with a limited or restricted oxygen supply that produces carbon monoxide ($CO$), soot ($C$), and water ($H_2O$), releasing lower energy with a sooty yellow flame.

Polyethylene (PE)

A flexible, lightweight, and water-resistant synthetic polymer used for plastic bags and squeeze bottles.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

A rigid, strong, durable polymer and electrical insulator used for water pipes and cable casing.

Polystyrene (PS)

A lightweight polymer that acts as an excellent thermal insulator when expanded, used for packaging and cups.

Finite Resources

Non-renewable minerals like iron ore, coal, and bauxite extracted in Australia that cannot be replaced naturally at the scale they are consumed.

Red Mud

A toxic, highly alkaline waste generated during the refining of bauxite/aluminium.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed during an investigation, plotted on the X-axis.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured during an investigation, plotted on the Y-axis.

Controlled Variables

Variables that are kept constant during an experiment to ensure a fair test.

Interpolation

Estimating a value inside your data range.

Extrapolation

Extending the line of best fit to predict a value outside your data range.