Unit 2: Matter

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the topic of matter, including definitions of terms used in chemistry.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Chemistry

The study of the properties of matter and how it changes.

Substance

A single kind of matter that is pure, and always has the same chemical make-up.

Physical Property

A characteristic of a pure substance that can be observed without changing it into another substance.

Chemical Property

A characteristic of a pure substance that describes its ability to change into different substances.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into any other substance by chemical or physical means.

Atom

The basic particle from which all elements are made.

Chemical Bond

The force of attraction between two atoms.

Molecules

Group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Mixture

Made of 2 or more substances, elements, compounds, or both that are not chemically bonded together.

Compound

A pure substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded together.

Chemical Formula

Shows the elements in the compound and the ratio of atoms (e.g., H2O).

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that is not evenly distributed; you can see different parts (e.g., Salad).

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that is evenly distributed; you cannot see the different parts (e.g., Kool-aid).

Physical Change

Any change that alters the form or appearance of matter; no new substance is formed.

Chemical Change

A change of matter that produces one or more new substances.

Solid

Has a definite shape and definite volume.

Liquid

Has a definite volume, but no shape of its own.

Fluid

A substance that flows.

Gas

Is a fluid, but has no set volume.

Viscosity

A liquid’s resistance to flowing.