Chem 1210 Lecture Outline #1: Matter, Measurement, and Unit Conversions

Vocabulary flashcards covering metric prefixes, measurement rules, significant figures, dimensional analysis, and density based on Chem 1210 Lecture Outline #1.

Nanometer (nm)

A unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter ($10^{-9}\,\text{m}$), which is approximately $100,000$ times thinner than a human hair.

Tera-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $T$, representing an exponential value of $10^{12}$ or one trillion.

Giga-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $G$, representing an exponential value of $10^9$ or one billion.

Mega-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $M$, representing an exponential value of $10^6$ or one million.

Kilo-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $k$, representing an exponential value of $10^3$ or one thousand.

Deci-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $d$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-1}$ or one tenth ($0.1$).

Centi-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $c$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-2}$ or one hundredth ($0.01$).

Milli-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $m$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-3}$ or one thousandth ($0.001$).

Micro-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $\mu$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-6}$ or one millionth ($0.000001$).

Nano-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $n$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-9}$ or one billionth ($0.000000001$).

Pico-

A metric prefix denoted by the symbol $p$, representing an exponential value of $10^{-12}$ or one trillionth.

Accuracy vs. Precision

Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, whereas precision refers to how close repeated measurements are to one another.

Significant Figure Rules

Guidelines for identifying meaningful digits in measured numbers: nonzeros and middle zeros are significant, front zeros are not, trailing zeros count only if a decimal is present, and exact counts or conversion factors have unlimited significant figures.

Sig Fig Rule for Multiplication and Division

The final calculated answer must be rounded to the same number of significant figures as the measured quantity with the fewest significant figures.

Sig Fig Rule for Addition and Subtraction

The final calculated answer must be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the measured quantity with the fewest decimal places.

Normalized Scientific Notation

A standard representation of numbers written as $\text{Coefficient} \times 10^{\text{exponent}}$, where the coefficient has exactly one nonzero digit to the left of the decimal point.

Dimensional Analysis

A problem-solving technique (also known as the factor-label method) that multiplies a given quantity by conversion factors equal to 1 to cancel units systematically.

Common Unit Conversions

Essential conversion equivalencies used in chemistry problem-solving, such as $2.54\,\text{cm} = 1\,\text{in}$, $1\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{cm}^3$, and $1\,\text{kg} \approx 2.2\,\text{lbs}$.

Meniscus

The curved upper surface of a liquid inside a container; volume readings in graduated cylinders are recorded at the bottom of this curve.

Volume Equivalence (1 Liter)

One liter is equal to $1,000\,\text{mL}$ or $1,000\,\text{cm}^3$, which corresponds to a cube measuring $10\,\text{cm} \times 10\,\text{cm} \times 10\,\text{cm}$.

Density

An physical property calculated as mass divided by volume ($d = \frac{m}{V}$), typically expressed in units of $\text{g/mL}$ or $\text{g/cm}^3$.

q.d.

A medical dosing abbreviation meaning once per day (every day).