Chemistry Chapter 3 Vocab

Measurement

A quantitative observation

Scientific Notation

Expresses a number in the form N x 10^m; a convenient method for representing a very large or very small number and for easily indicating the number of significant figures

Unit

The part of the measurement telling us to scale being used

Metric System

A decimal-based measuring system

International System (IS)

A standardized unit system based on the metric system that is used globally; the most commonly used system of scientific measurement

Meter

The basic SI unit of length

Volume

The amount of 3 dimensional space occupied by a substance

Liter

The fundamental unit of volume in the SI system, equal to 1 cubic decimeter

Mass

The quantity of matter in an object

Kilogram

The base SI unit of mass

Significant Figures

The certain digits and the first uncertain digit of measurement

Conversion Factor

A ratio used to convert from one unit to another

Equivalence Statement

The relationship between measurements in different units that measure the exact same quantity

Dimensional Analysis

the process of using conversion factors to change from one unit to another

Fahrenheit Scale

A temperature scale on which water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees

Celsius Scale

A temperature scale based on powers of 10 on which water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees, most commonly used for scientific measurement

Kelvin (absolute) scale

A temperature scale on which 0K is abolute zero, water freezes at 273K, and water boils at 373K; the Kelvin is the SI unit of temperature

Density

The mass of a substance per a given volume of that substance

Specific Gravity

the ratio of density of a given liquid to the density of water at 4 degrees celsius