Introduction to Chemistry - Key Concepts and Definitions

These flashcards cover the key concepts and definitions related to the introduction of chemistry, scientific methods, measurements, data representation, and more.

Chemistry

The study of matter and the changes it undergoes.

Macroscopic Domain

The realm of everyday things that are large enough to be observed by human senses.

Microscopic Domain

The realm that cannot be seen directly.

Symbolic Domain

The language of chemists representing the components of the macroscopic and microscopic domains.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach used in all scientific study involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, data collection, and conclusion.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation of what has been observed.

Theories

Formed after several experiments; they provide explanations of problems and can change with new data.

Variables

Quantities that can have more than one value in an experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Pure Research

Research conducted to gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge itself.

Applied Research

Research undertaken to solve specific problems.

Technology

The application of scientific knowledge.

Significant Figures

The digits in a number that carry meaning contributing to its precision.

Scientific Notation

A way to express very large or very small numbers, consisting of a coefficient and an exponent.

Density

The ratio of mass to volume.

Accuracy

How close a measured value is to the actual value or quantity.

Precision

How close two or more measurements of the same quantity are to one another.

Percentage Error

A way to express accuracy; calculated as (Actual Value - Calculated Value) / Actual Value.

Derived Units

Units derived from the seven base SI units.

Base SI Units

Fundamental units such as mass (kg), length (m), time (s), etc.

Significant Figures Rules

Rules defining which digits are considered significant in a measurement.

Dimensional Analysis

A method of converting from one unit to another using conversion factors.

Temperature Conversion

K = °C + 273, a formula for converting Celsius to Kelvin.

Graph Types

Circle graphs, bar graphs, and line graphs, used for different data representation.

Interpolation

Reading the data from a graph that falls between measured points.

Extrapolation

Estimating values for a variable by extending the line beyond the plotted points.