Chapter 1 – An Introduction to Chemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1, including the scope of chemistry, scientific method steps, SI measurement system, precision and accuracy concepts, temperature scales, and notable examples like Green Chemistry and Parkinson’s research.

Chemistry

The study of the structure and behavior of matter.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Scientific Method

A cycle of observation, hypothesis, experimentation, refinement, and application used to build scientific knowledge.

Observation

The initial step of collecting data about natural phenomena.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation of observations that can be tested by experimentation.

Experimentation

Systematic procedures designed to test a hypothesis.

Data

Measured or observed information collected during experiments.

Green Chemistry

An approach that designs chemical products and processes to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances.

Sea-Nine®

An environmentally friendly antifouling agent recognized by the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.

Measurement

A quantitative observation consisting of a number and a unit.

Value (in measurement)

The reported result of a measurement, combining a number and its unit.

Unit

A defined quantity based on a standard used for comparison in measurements.

International System of Units (SI)

The modern, globally accepted metric system based on seven base units.

Base Unit

One of the seven fundamental SI units from which all others are derived.

Derived Unit

An SI unit obtained by combining base units (e.g., m³, L).

Prefix (metric)

A syllable attached to a unit name that multiplies or divides the unit by a power of ten.

Meter (m)

The SI base unit of length; defined as the distance light travels in vacuum in 1/299,792,458 second.

Kilogram (kg)

The SI base unit of mass; now defined via Planck’s constant.

Second (s)

The SI base unit of time.

Kelvin (K)

The SI base unit of temperature; starts at absolute zero.

Mole (mol)

The SI base unit for amount of substance; defined in Chapter 3.

Liter (L)

A commonly used derived unit of volume equal to 10-3 cubic meters.

Cubic Meter (m³)

The SI derived unit of volume; equal to 1,000 liters.

Cubic Centimeter (cm³)

A volume identical to one milliliter (mL).

Gram (g)

A mass unit equal to 10-3 kilograms.

Metric Ton (t)

A mass of 1,000 kilograms (1 megagram).

Giga- (G)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁹.

Mega- (M)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁶.

Kilo- (k)

Metric prefix meaning 10³.

Centi- (c)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁻².

Milli- (m)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁻³.

Micro- (µ)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁻⁶.

Nano- (n)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁻⁹.

Pico- (p)

Metric prefix meaning 10⁻¹².

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter in an object.

Weight

The gravitational force acting on an object’s mass.

Precision

The closeness of repeated measurements to one another.

Accuracy

The closeness of a measurement to the true or accepted value.

Uncertainty

An estimate of the amount by which a measured or calculated value may differ from the true value.

Certain Digits

Digits in a measurement that are known exactly based on instrument calibration.

Estimated Digit

The final digit in a measurement, representing uncertainty.

Meniscus

The curved surface of a liquid in a container; measurements are read at its lowest point.

Graduated Cylinder

Laboratory glassware with calibration marks used for measuring liquid volumes.

Digital Readout

An electronic display that shows measurement values directly.

Temperature

A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance.

Celsius Scale (°C)

Temperature scale with 0 °C at water’s freezing point and 100 °C at boiling.

Fahrenheit Scale (°F)

Temperature scale with 32 °F at water’s freezing point and 212 °F at boiling.

Kelvin Scale

Absolute temperature scale starting at 0 K (absolute zero); same degree size as Celsius.

Absolute Zero

0 K, the theoretical temperature at which particle motion ceases.

Parkinson’s Disease

A neurological disorder linked to low brain dopamine; treated with L-dopa.

Dopamine

A brain chemical crucial for muscle control; deficiency is related to Parkinson’s disease.

Levodopa (L-dopa)

A drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted to dopamine.

Catalytic Converter

A car device that minimizes air pollution by converting exhaust gases into less harmful substances.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Once-common propellants now known to deplete the ozone layer.

Ozone Layer

A region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most ultraviolet radiation.

Methyl Bromide

A pesticide implicated in ozone depletion.

Review Skills

Textbook sections highlighting prerequisite knowledge for each new chapter.

15-Minute Rule

Study guideline advising students to seek help after 15 minutes of unsuccessful problem solving.