Liquids: Vocabulary Flashcards (General Properties and Key Concepts)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering general liquid properties (shape, volume, density, flow), plus key concepts (viscosity, surface tension, capillary action, vapor pressure, boiling point, IMF, hydrogen bonding, and related terminology) drawn from the lecture notes.

Indefinite Shape

Liquids do not have a fixed shape and take the shape of their container.

Definite Volume

Liquids have a fixed volume and cannot be easily compressed or expanded.

High Density

Liquids have relatively high density compared with gases; more mass per unit volume.

Flowability

Liquids can flow and be poured due to the mobility of their particles that slide past each other.

Viscosity

The resistance of a fluid to flow; increases with stronger intermolecular forces and decreases with higher temperature; measured with a viscometer.

Surface Tension

The property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force due to cohesive molecular forces.

Capillary Action

The tendency of a liquid to rise in narrow tubes or be drawn into small openings, driven by cohesion and adhesion between liquid and solid.

Cohesion

Attractive forces between molecules within a liquid.

Adhesion

Attractive forces between a liquid and a solid surface.

Vapor Pressure

The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid; substances with stronger intermolecular forces have lower vapor pressures.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure; the normal boiling point occurs at 1 atm.

Normal Boiling Point

The boiling point of a liquid at 1 atmosphere (760 mmHg) pressure.

Intermolecular Forces (IMF)

Forces between molecules that influence properties like viscosity, surface tension, and boiling point; includes cohesive and adhesive components.

Hydrogen Bond

A strong type of intermolecular force found in water due to hydrogen bonding, contributing to high surface tension.

Molar Heat of Vaporization

The amount of heat required to vaporize one mole of a substance at its boiling point (kJ/mol).

Vaporization

The phase change from a liquid to a gas.

Viscometer

Instrument used to measure the viscosity of a liquid.

Temperature Effect on Surface Tension

As temperature increases, surface tension generally decreases due to weakened intermolecular forces at the surface.