Properties and Changes of Matter

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, and changes in matter.

Physical properties of matter

Properties observed with senses—color, texture, odour, taste, shape, size, etc.

States of matter

Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Hardness

Ability to be scratched or dented.

Malleability

Can be pressed into sheets.

Ductility

Can be drawn into wires.

Solubility

Ability to dissolve.

Viscosity

Flow thickness.

Density formula

Density = mass ÷ volume (D = m/v).

Conductivity

Allows heat/electricity to pass through.

Chemical properties of matter

Describe how a substance reacts, such as combustibility or reaction with water or acid.

Particle Theory of Matter (PSAM)

1. All matter is made of tiny particles. 2. There is space between them. 3. They attract. 4. They move.

Physical change

A change in state/form without a new substance; often reversible.

Chemical change

A new substance forms with different properties; often irreversible.

Octet rule

Atoms want 8 electrons in their outer shell for stability.

Ion

Charged atom; cation (loses electrons, +) or anion (gains electrons, -).

Noble gases

Unreactive because they have a full valence shell (8 electrons).

Chemical group

Vertical column in the periodic table with similar properties.

Clues of a chemical change

New color, gas/bubbles, odor, light/heat, precipitate, hard to reverse.

How are electron shells filled?

Shells fill in order: 2, 8, 8, 18.

What is a chemical group?

Vertical column in the periodic table with similar properties.

How do you count atoms from a formula?

Use subscripts, coefficients, and brackets to multiply element counts.

What is a physical change?

A change in state/form without a new substance. Often reversible.

What is a chemical change?

A new substance forms with different properties. Often irreversible.

What are clues of a chemical change?

New color, gas/bubbles, odor, light/heat, precipitate, hard to reverse

What defines a neutral atom?

A neutral atom is defined as one where the number of protons equals the number of electrons, resulting in an overall charge of zero.

How do atoms gain stability?

Atoms gain stability by gaining or losing electrons in order to fill their outer shell.

What is the relationship between protons and electrons in neutral atoms?

In neutral atoms, the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons.

What happens to an atom when it gains electrons?

When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is referred to as an anion.

What happens to an atom when it loses electrons?

When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is referred to as a cation.

What is the process called when a solid turns into a gas with heat added?

The process is called sublimation.

What is melting?

Melting is the process where a solid turns into a liquid when heat is added.

What is the process called when a gas turns into a solid by removing heat?

The process is called deposition.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process where a gas turns into a liquid when heat is removed.

What happens during freezing?

Freezing is the process where a liquid turns into a solid when heat is removed.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process where a liquid turns into a gas when heat is added.

What is combustibility?

Combustibility is the ability of a substance to react quickly with oxygen to produce heat and light.

What does the reaction with water and acid indicate?

The ability of a substance to react with acids to produce a gas.

What is density?

Density is a physical property of matter that can help identify many substances.

What does the acronym G-U-E-S-S stand for in problem-solving?

G: Given (state what you are given in the question), U: Unknown (state what you are trying to find), E: Equation (write the equation and sub-numbers), S: Solve (calculate your answer), S: Statement (write out your answer in a full sentence.)