Inorganic Chemistry Unit 1 Vocabulary

Flashcards created from lecture notes on inorganic chemistry vocabulary, units of measurement, uncertainty, and temperature scales.

Chemistry

The study of matter, and its interactions and changes.

Matter

Anything that takes up mass or space.

Theory

An explanation of why something happens.

Law

A statement of WHAT happens.

Accuracy

Correct, consistent data.

Precision

Consistent data by each other.

Observation

Something that you get qualitative data from by looking at and describing its physical data.

Qualitative data

Data received from observations (such as colors, texture, etc.).

Quantitative data

Numerical data obtained from measurements.

International system of measurement

The scientific system of measurement based on the metric system.

SI units

Units in the IS system, such as $\text{kg}$, $\text{L}$, and $\text{m}$.

Pure chemistry

Pursuing new knowledge.

Applied chemistry

Chemistry directed toward a specific goal or problem to solve.

Clear / Transparent

Describing matter that can be seen through.

Cloudy / Translucent

Describing matter where parts are seen through with solid clouding.

Opaque

Describing matter that cannot be seen through (for example, milk).

Absolute zero

$-273^\text{o}\text{C}$, the temperature below which negative values are not possible in Kelvin.

Kelvin

A temperature scale calculated as $\text{C} + 273$, in which negative values are not possible.

Standard temperature

$0^\text{o}\text{C}$, which is also water's freezing and melting point.

Water boiling point

$100^\text{o}\text{C}$.

Room temperature

$20^\text{o}\text{C}$ to $25^\text{o}\text{C}$.

Human body temperature

$37^\text{o}\text{C}$.

Density

A unit made up of other units (derived).

Degree of uncertainty

A characteristic of every measurement where the last decimal place written down is an estimate (usually $5$).

Significant digits

Numbers obtained by proper measurement where all non-zero and middle zeros are significant, trailing zeros are significant only with a decimal, and leading zeros are never significant.

Scientific notation

A form of writing very large or small numbers using powers of $10$, where the decimal point is placed behind the 1st non-zero number.

Dimensional analysis

A conversion factor problem method for converting units using an equivalent expression as a conversion factor.

Equivalents

An expression of two equal quantities in different units.