State of matters

What is a pure substance?

A pure substance is made of only one type of particle, which can be elements or compounds.

What is an impure substance?

An impure substance consists of two or more different particles, typically forming a mixture.

What is an element?

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances and is defined by its atomic number.

What is a compound?

A compound is a chemical substance formed by chemically bonding two or more different elements together.

What distinguishes a mixture from pure substances?

A mixture retains the individual properties of its components and can be separated physically.

What is a homogeneous mixture?

A homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout, like air.

What is a heterogeneous mixture?

A heterogeneous mixture contains distinct components that can be visually distinguished, like salad.

What defines a solid state of matter?

A solid has a definite shape and volume with closely packed particles that vibrate in place.

What defines a liquid state of matter?

A liquid has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container, with particles that move more freely.

What defines a gas state of matter?

A gas has no definite shape or volume, with particles that are far apart and move freely.

What is a mixture?

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each retains its individual properties.

What is the law of definite proportions?

The law of definite proportions states that a compound is always composed of the same elements in the same proportion by mass.

What is a solution?

A solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance is dissolved in another.

What is an alloy?

An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals or a metal and another element.

What is distillation?

Distillation is a process used to separate mixtures based on differences in boiling points.

What is chromatography?

Chromatography is a technique for separating components of a mixture based on their movement through a medium.

What is filtration?

Filtration is a mechanical or physical process used to separate solids from liquids or gases.

What is a colloid?

A colloid is a mixture where small particles of one substance are dispersed throughout another substance.

What is a soluble substance?

A soluble substance is one that can be dissolved in a solvent.

What is a solvent?

A solvent is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.

What is a solute?

A solute is the substance being dissolved in a solution.

What is a saturated solution?

A saturated solution is one that cannot dissolve any more solute at a given temperature.

What is a concentrated solution?

A concentrated solution contains a large amount of solute relative to the amount of solvent.

What is a dilute solution?

A dilute solution contains a small amount of solute relative to the amount of solvent.

What is a suspension?

A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture where particles are suspended in a fluid but can settle out over time.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process where liquid turns into vapor at any temperature.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process where vapor turns back into liquid.

What is sublimation?

Sublimation is the process where a solid turns directly into a gas without passing through the liquid phase.

What is deposition?

Deposition is the process where a gas turns directly into a solid without becoming a liquid.

What is plasma?

Plasma is a state of matter where gases are ionized and have free-moving ions and electrons.

What is thermal expansion?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change in volume in response to a change in temperature.