Exploring Matter Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of matter classification, physical and chemical properties, mixtures, substances, states of gallium and water, and various types of energy.

Chemical potential energy

The energy released or absorbed during a chemical process.

System

A portion of the universe that a scientist identifies for study.

Surroundings

Everything else in the universe around the identified system.

Macroscopic property

A characteristic that is large enough to handle or measure without magnification, such as melting.

Solid gallium

A state of gallium that has a definite shape and volume; its particles have less kinetic energy than those in liquid gallium.

Liquid gallium

A state of gallium that flows into different shapes while maintaining a definite volume.

Matter

Anything that has mass and volume (occupies space).

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Volume

The amount of space an object takes up.

Pure Substance

Matter that has a defined composition and can be written using chemical symbols or formulas.

Element

A substance made up of only one type of atom; it is the simplest form of matter with a characteristic set of properties. Examples include gold ($Au$), aluminum ($Al$), Oxygen ($O_2$), or sulfur ($S$).

Compound

Two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion. Examples include $MgSO_4$, $NaCl$, and $H_2O$.

Mixture

A physical combination of different elements, compounds, or both, where each part keeps its own identity and can be separated physically.

Physical Separation Methods

Procedures used to separate mixtures based on physical properties, including filtering, distillation, or decanting.

Homogeneous Mixture

A mixture that is uniform in composition (the same throughout), also known as a solution. Examples include saltwater, air, and alloys like brass and bronze.

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture that is not uniform throughout. Examples include sand and water, oil and vinegar salad dressing, and Kellogg's Fruit Loops.

Chemistry

The study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter, the processes that matter undergoes, and the energy that accompanies these procedures.

Physical property

A property that can be observed or measured without changing the composition of a substance, such as color, hardness, or state.

Extensive property

A property that depends on the amount of matter in a sample, rather than the type of matter.

Intensive property

A property that depends on the type of matter in a sample, such as density or the ability to conduct heat/electricity.

Physical Change

A change in which the physical properties of a material change but its composition remains the same, such as melting, freezing, boiling, or condensation.

Chemical Change

A change that results in a change in the composition of one or more substances, such as burning, rusting, or exploding.

Chemical Property

The ability of a substance to undergo a specific chemical change.

Atoms

The fundamental building blocks of matter that combine to form larger particles.

Chemical Symbol

One or two letters that represent an element, such as $H$ or $C$.

Molecules

Two or more atoms combined and held together by one or more chemical bonds.

Water vapor (gas)

A state where water molecules are not held together by attractive forces.

Water (liquid)

A state where water molecules are held close together by attractive forces but can still move around.

Ice (solid)

A state where water molecules are locked in a fixed pattern by attractive forces.

Energy

The capacity to move, do work, change matter, or produce heat.

Kinetic energy

The energy matter possesses because of its motion.

Thermal energy

The total kinetic energy of all the particles that make up matter.

Potential energy

Stored energy in matter due to its position relative to other matter.