Honors Chemistry: Classifying Matter, Properties, and Changes

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down into a simpler substance by chemical means.

Compound

A substance made of two or more elements chemically bound together in fixed proportions.

Mixture

A physical combination of substances that are not chemically bound together.

Heterogeneous Mixture

The mixture is not uniform.

Homogeneous Mixture

The mixture is uniform (aka solution).

Physical Property

Any description of the characteristics of a substance.

Physical Change

Any change in a substance's characteristics that do not change its chemical identity.

Chemical Property

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

Chemical Change

A change that results in a substance(s) with a new chemical composition.

Signs of Chemical Change

Color change, precipitation of a solid, energy change (heat, light, sound), odor change, gas released.

Boiling Point of Alcohol

The boiling point of a certain alcohol is 78 degrees Celsius.

Diamond Hardness

Diamond is very hard.

Sugar Fermentation

Sugar ferments to form alcohol.

Metal Wire Conductivity

A metal wire conducts an electric current.

Physical Change Example

Iron metal is melted.

Chemical Change Example

Iron combines with oxygen to form rust.

Wood Burning

Wood burns in air.

Rock Breaking

A rock is broken into smaller pieces.

Self-Check Importance

You don't have to write them down, but try them to make sure you understand the content.

Separation Techniques

Pick pieces apart, magnet, funnel/filter, evaporate, distill, etc.

Pure Substances

Both elements and compounds are considered pure substances, meaning all particles are the same.

Periodic Table Elements

There are 118 elements on the periodic table, each with unique properties.