Chemistry 122: Dimensional Analysis, Significant Figures, and Forms of Energy

Vocabulary flashcards covering dimensional analysis, significant figures rules, forms of energy, fundamental forces, thermodynamic definitions, and Coulombic potential.

Significant Figure Rule for Multiplication and Division

A rule stating that the result of a calculation has the same number of significant figures as the value with the fewest significant figures used to calculate it.

Significant Figure Rule for Addition and Subtraction

A rule stating that the result of a calculation has the same number of digits to the right of the decimal as the measured number with the fewest digits to the right of the decimal.

Conversion Factors

Ratios of equivalent quantities used in dimensional analysis to cancel initial units and convert to desired units.

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Work

The transfer of energy to move an object over a distance, which requires a force.

Law of Conservation of Energy

A fundamental law stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be converted from one form to another.

Potential Energy

The energy stored in an object or field because of its position or composition.

Kinetic Energy

The energy associated with motion, calculated using the formula $KE = \frac{1}{2} m u^2$, where $m$ is mass and $u$ is speed.

Gravity

The fundamental force responsible for attraction between objects that have mass.

Electromagnetic Force

The fundamental force responsible for attraction or repulsion between objects that have electric charge.

Strong Force

A short-range fundamental interaction that occurs between objects made of quarks, holding protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

Weak Force

A short-range fundamental interaction that occurs between elementary particles and is weaker than the electromagnetic or strong force.

Electrostatic Force

A special case of the electromagnetic force referring specifically to electric fields and forces between charged particles.

Joule

The SI unit of energy, equivalent to $\text{kg}\text{m}^2\text{s}^{-2}$, where $1\text{ calorie} = 4.184\text{ J}$.

System

The specific part of the universe being identified and focused on for studying energy changes.

Surroundings

Everything else in the universe outside of the defined system.

Coulomb Potential

A model for chemical potential energy between two charged particles at rest, given by $PE = k \frac{Q_1 \times Q_2}{d}$, where $k$ is a proportionality constant and $d$ is the distance between charges.