Earth Science Chapter 2: Matter, Forces, and Energy

Vocabulary flashcards covering matter, states of matter, state changes, forces, energy forms, thermodynamic laws, and atomic structure from Chapter 2.

Pure Substance

A material made of just one kind of element or compound.

Mixture

Two or more substances mixed together but not chemically combined.

Melting

The change in state from a solid to a liquid.

Freezing

The change in state from a liquid to a solid.

Vaporization

Any change of state from a liquid to a gas.

Condensation

The change of state from a gas to a liquid.

Sublimation

The change in state from a solid to a vapor.

Deposition

The change in state from a gas to a solid.

Mass

A measure of the quantity or amount of matter an object contains.

Weight

The force of gravitational attraction on an object.

Volume

The amount of space an object occupies.

Force

A push or a pull.

Gravity

The force of attraction between any two objects originating in the matter they contain.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

The law stating that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Energy

The ability to do work.

Work

A force acting on an object as the object moves through a distance.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that the total energy of an isolated system is constant, and energy can be transformed from one form to another but cannot be created or destroyed.

Atom

The smallest neutral particle identified as a chemical element.

Ion

A charged atom or group of atoms.

Element

A pure substance made of only one type of atom.

Compound

A pure substance composed of two or more elements that are chemically combined.

Molecule

A distinct particle composed of two or more atoms bonded together, such as oxygen ($O_2$) or water ($H_2O$).

Fission

A nuclear change where nuclei split into smaller parts.

Fusion

A nuclear change where nuclei are joined together.