Chem

Scientific Law

A statement describing an observed phenomenon.

Scientific Theory

A broad explanation of a phenomenon that is widely accepted because it is supported by a great deal of evidence.

Chemistry

The study of the composition of matter and the changes matter undergoes.

Physical Chemistry

Study of physical properties of materials, creating new substances.

Organic Chemistry

Synthesize polymers and study carbon-based materials.

Inorganic Chemistry

Study of non-carbon based materials.

Analytical Chemistry

Synthesize proteins and study biological processes.

Biochemistry

Study of the composition of matter.

Inductive Reasoning

The process of drawing conclusions based on many pieces of evidence.

Scientific Method

A logical systematic approach to the solution of a problem.

Observation

Any information that is gathered with the senses.

Hypothesis

An educated guess.

Experiment

A controlled scientific study of specific variables.

Manipulated Variable (Independent Variable)

The variable that is changed by the researcher.

Responding Variable (Dependent Variable)

The variable that the researcher predicts will change.

Mass

Measures the amount of matter in an object.

Volume

The measure of the amount of space an object takes up.

Physical Property

Properties that can be measured or observed without matter changing into an entirely different substance.

Extensive Property

Properties that depend on the amount of matter present.

Intensive Property

Properties that do not depend on the amount of matter but on the type.

Physical Change

A change in one or more physical properties without any change in the substance's identity.

Solid

A state of matter in which particles are tightly packed together.

Liquid

A state of matter in which particles slip past each other and take the shape of their container.

Gas

A state of matter in which particles can pull apart and spread out.

Vapor

A gas phase of a substance that is typically a liquid or a solid at room temperature.

States of Matter

Different phases in which any given matter can exist.

Substance

A form of matter that has a specific chemical composition and distinct properties.

Mixture

A physical blend of two or more components, each retaining its own identity and properties.

Solution

A type of mixture where one substance is dissolved in another.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which the composition is uniform throughout.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which the composition is not uniform throughout.

Phase

A separate layer in a heterogeneous mixture.

Chromatography

Separation of two substances using a mobile phase and a stationary phase.

Distillation

Used to separate two liquids based on their differences in boiling points.

Filtration

Separation of a mixture’s components through differences in particle size.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into other substances.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements combine chemically.

Molecule

The smallest particle of a compound that still has that compound’s properties.

Chemical Change

Occurs whenever matter changes into an entirely different substance with different chemical properties.

Chemical Property

Properties that can be measured or observed only when matter undergoes a change to become a different substance.

Chemical Reaction

A process where reactants are transformed into different substances called products.

Chemical Symbol

One- or two-letter designation of an element.

Flammability

The ability to burn matter.

Law of Conservation of Mass

States that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

Precipitate

Solids that form and settle out of a liquid mixture.

Product

Substances that are produced in a chemical reaction.

Reactant

Substances that start a chemical reaction.

Reactivity

The ability of matter to react chemically with other substances.

Derived Units

Quantities that are calculated from other measurements.

Density

A physical property that depends only on the composition of a substance and not on the size of the sample.