PHYSICAL SCIENCE Fall ’25 Final Exam Review

These flashcards summarize key terms and concepts from the Physical Science final exam review, covering various topics such as the atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, and key scientific principles.

What is an independent variable?

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

What is a dependent variable?

The variable being tested and measured in an experiment.

Define hypothesis.

An educated guess.

Who created the Periodic Table?

Mendeleev created the Periodic Table and left spaces for undiscovered elements.

What does the term 'atomos' refer to?

It was first used by Democritus to mean an indivisible particle.

What is matter?

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

How is density calculated?

Density is mass per unit volume.

What is the melting point?

The temperature at which a material changes from solid to liquid.

What is viscosity?

The resistance to flow of a fluid.

What does the Law of the Conservation of Matter state?

Matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

What is the atomic number?

The number of protons in an atom, which is also equal to the number of electrons.

What is a valence shell?

The outermost energy ring/shell of an atom.

What is the function of a neutron?

It is a neutral charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

What is a molecule?

Two or more atoms combined chemically for stability.

What does the Periodic Table represent?

A table organizing all known matter by atomic number and properties.

What is the octet rule?

Atoms are more stable when their outermost energy shell is filled.

What is an ionic bond?

A chemical bond where electrons are transferred between metals and nonmetals.

What is a covalent bond?

A chemical bond where electrons are shared between atoms.

Define ion.

A charged atom formed in ionic bonding.

What is a cation?

A positively charged atom.

What is a catalyst?

A material that speeds up a reaction without entering the reaction.

What is a reactant in a chemical equation?

Matter combined to form a product, found left of the arrow.

What is the definition of kinetic molecular theory?

A theory stating that all material is made up of atoms that are always in motion.

Why do atoms bond?

Atoms bond to achieve stability.

What are the three concepts of the kinetic molecular theory?

1. All material is made up of atoms; 2. Atoms are always in motion; 3. Atoms collide, producing molecules.

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

The independent variable is manipulated, while the dependent variable is the outcome measured.

What is an anion?

A negatively charged atom.