Unit 1 BioChemHonors Vocab (measurement, matter, and energy)

Mass

Gram (g)

Volume

Liter (L), meters cubed (m³)

Temperature

Kelvin (K), Celsius (C)

Time

Seconds (s)

Energy

Joules (J), Calories (cal)

Matter

Atomic mass unit (amu)

Matter definition

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume)

Melting

A physical process where a solid turns into a liquid when it absorbs heat energy

Freezing

A natural physical process where a liquid turns into a solid because its temperature drops

Vaporization

The broad phase transition of a substance from a liquid or solid phase into gas

Evaporation

A specific type of vaporization that occurs only at the surface of a liquid and at temperatures below its boiling point

Condensation

A physical process where a gas or vapor turns into a liquid

Sublimation

A process where a solid turns directly into a gas without turning into a liquid first

Deposition

The phase transition where a gas transforms directly into a solid without passing through a liquid phase

Physical change

A change in the appearance, state, or size of matter without altering its chemical composition

Chemical change

Happens when one or more substances turn into entirely new substances with different chemical properties

Elements

A pure substance made of only one type of atom that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical reactions

Compound

A pure substance made of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio

Heterogenous mixture

A combination of two or more substances where the composition is not uniform throughout (oil and water, sand and water, salad)

Homogeneous mixture

A combination of two or more substances that has the exact same composition and appearance throughout (salt water, black coffee, brass, sugar water, etc.)

• every drop or sample of the mixture is identical

Colloids

A type of heterogeneous mixture where microscopic, insoluble particles of one substance are evenly suspended throughout another substance without settling out

Suspensions

A heterogeneous mixture where solid particles are spread through a liquid or gas but DO NOT dissolve

Potential energy (definition)

The stored energy within the structural arrangement, composition, and chemical bonds of atoms and molecules

What are the three types of potential energy?

• chemical (food and gas)

• Gravitational (when something could fall/gravity creates energy)

• Nuclear (splitting of atoms / (u) uranium)

Kinetic energy definition

Energy in motion, created through the energy that atoms, ions, and molecules possess due to their constant motion

What are the three types of kinetic energy

• radiant (like the suns rays or a fire)

• Mechanical

• Electrical (anything you plug in)

Temperature

The measure of average kinetic energy of the atoms or molecules in a system

Celcius

A metric temp. System where 0c is freezing point of water and 100c is boiling point

Kelvin

Base unit of thermodynamic temperature

Absolute zero is 0k, molecular motion stops

Absolute value

The non-negative magnitude or distance of a number from zero ignoring negative or positive signs

Fahrenheit

A temp system that defines freezing point of water at 32 degrees and boiling point at 212 degrees

Conduction

The transfer of heat or electrical energy through matter by direct contact between atoms, molecules, or electrons

Convection

Transfer of thermal energy and mass through the physical movement and circulation of a fluid (liquid or gas)

Radiation

The emission or transmission of energy in the form of waves or high-speed particles from atomic or nuclear processes

Law of conservation of mass

Mass is neither created nor destroyed during a chemical reaction

Law of conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical or physical change, but it can only change form or be transferred between a system and its surroundings

Greenhouse effect

A chemical and physical process where atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping heat and keeping earth warm enough to support life