Chapter 1: Chemistry - David Maynard

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set covering core definitions, key historical figures, properties, classifications, and measurements from Chapter 1.

Chemistry

The study of matter and its changes.

Science

The process of seeking an understanding of the underlying principles of nature, consisting of technological (factual) and philosophical (theoretical) facets.

Technology

The direct application of knowledge to solve problems.

Natural Philosophy

Philosophical speculation about nature from which modern science grew.

Francis Bacon

A philosopher who envisioned that science would solve world problems and enrich human life with inventions to increase happiness and prosperity.

Rachel Carson

A biologist who published Silent Spring in 1962, proposing that chemical pesticide use threatened the destruction of all life.

Green Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that uses materials and processes intended to prevent or reduce pollution at its source.

Sustainable Chemistry

Chemistry designed to meet current generational needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Scientific Hypotheses

Testable explanations of observed data that are evaluated by designing and conducting experiments.

Scientific Laws

Statements that summarize large amounts of scientific data and describe natural phenomena, often expressed mathematically such as Boyle's Law ($P V = k$).

Scientific Theory

A set of tested hypotheses that represent the best current, tentative explanations for natural phenomena.

Scientific Models

Tangible items or visual representations used to depict invisible processes.

Molecules

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

Molecular Models

Three-dimensional representations of molecules.

Applied Research

Work directed toward studying a specific problem in industry or the environment.

George Washington Carver

An applied researcher who developed over 300 products from peanuts.

Basic Research

The search for knowledge for its own sake without immediate practical application.

Gertrude Ellion

A basic researcher who studied purines and their role in the cell.

Matter

Anything that possesses mass and occupies volume.

Mass

The quantitative measure of the amount of matter in an object.

Weight

The measure of the gravitational force exerted on the matter in an object.

Physical Properties

Characteristics of a substance that can be observed without altering its chemical identity, such as color, mass, boiling point, and density.

Chemical Properties

Characteristics of a substance that can only be studied by causing it to undergo chemical changes to form new substances.

Physical Changes

Alterations in form or state that preserve the fundamental chemical identity of the substance, such as melting or freezing.

Solid

A state of matter characterized by a definite shape and a definite volume.

Liquid

A state of matter characterized by a definite volume but no definite shape.

Gas

A state of matter characterized by having neither a definite shape nor a definite volume.

States of Matter Diagram

Visual representation showing particle packing and behavior in solids, liquids, and gases.

Elements

Pure substances composed of only one type of atom and represented by chemical symbols (e.g., $\text{Cl}$, $\text{H}$, $\text{Mg}$).

Atoms

The smallest individual particles of an element.

Compounds

Substances composed of two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions (e.g., $\text{NaCl}$, $\text{H}_2\text{O}$, $\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$).

Mixture

A physical blend of two or more substances that retain their distinct chemical identities.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that maintains a uniform composition throughout.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture with a composition that is non-uniform throughout.

Classification of Matter Flowchart

A system dividing matter into substances (elements and compounds) and mixtures (homogeneous and heterogeneous).

SI Base Units

The standard metric units of measurement: meter ($\text{m}$) for length, kilogram ($\text{kg}$) for mass, second ($\text{s}$) for time, kelvin ($\text{K}$) for temperature, mole ($\text{mol}$) for amount, ampere ($\text{A}$) for electric current, and candela ($\text{cd}$) for luminous intensity.

Nanotechnology

The field of study involving the manipulation of matter at the atomic or molecular scale.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume, representing the amount of matter in a given amount of space.

Potential Energy

Energy that is stored within an object or system.

Kinetic Energy

Energy possessed by matter due to its motion.

Heat

Energy transferred spontaneously from an object at a higher temperature to one at a lower temperature.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of the individual particles comprising an object.

Calorie

The quantity of heat energy required to raise the temperature of $1.00\text{ g}$ of water by $1.00\text{ }^\bullet\text{C}$, equivalent to $4.184\text{ J}$.

Food Calorie

A nutritional unit ($\text{Cal}$) equal to $1\text{ kcal}$, $1000\text{ cal}$, or $4184\text{ J}$.

Celsius to Kelvin Conversion Formula

The mathematical relationship $K = ^\bullet\text{C} + 273.15$ used to convert temperature values.

Temperature Scales Comparison

Diagram detailing key reference points across Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales.