Study Guide - Matter

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing the core principles, classifications, properties, and thermodynamic laws of matter based on the study guide.

Chemistry

The branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Physical Property

A characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the substance's chemical identity.

Chemical Property

A characteristic of a substance that describes its ability to undergo a chemical change or reaction to form new substances.

Physical Change

A change in a substance that alters its physical appearance or state without changing its chemical composition.

Chemical Change

A process in which one or more substances are converted into completely new substances with distinct chemical properties.

Substance

A pure form of matter with a uniform and definite composition, categorized into elements and compounds.

Element

A pure substance composed of only one type of atom that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Compound

A pure substance composed of two or more different elements chemically combined in fixed proportions.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances that are physically mixed together without being chemically combined.

Homogenous Mixture

A mixture that has a uniform composition throughout its entire structure.

Heterogenous Mixture

A mixture that lacks a uniform composition and contains visibly distinguishable components or phases.

Qualitative Observation

An observation that describes non-numerical traits, qualities, or characteristics of a substance.

Quantitative Observation

An observation that involves numerical measurements, counts, or quantitative data.

Macroscopic

Refers to properties or occurrences large enough to be observed directly with the unaided eye.

Submicroscopic

Refers to the structural realm of atoms, molecules, and particles that cannot be seen even with an optical microscope.

5 Signs of a Chemical Reaction

Key indicators that a chemical reaction has taken place: color change, gas formation, precipitate formation, temperature/energy change, and odor change.

Entropy

A thermodynamic measure of the randomness, disorder, or chaotic state of a system.

Enthalpy

The total thermal energy or heat content of a thermodynamic system at constant pressure.

Endothermic

Describing a physical or chemical process that absorbs heat or energy from its surroundings.

Exothermic

Describing a physical or chemical process that releases heat or energy into its surroundings.

Law of Conservation of Matter

A fundamental principle stating that matter is neither created nor destroyed during physical or chemical processes.

1st Law of Thermodynamics

A principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.