Physical science final Scientific Method

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to chemical reactions and the scientific method to prepare for the exam.

Chemical reaction

A process in which a substance transforms into new different products or substances.

Reactants

The original substances that undergo a chemical reaction.

Products

The new substances formed at the end of a chemical reaction.

Aqueous

Describes a substance that is dissolved in water.

Precipitate

The solid formed from a solution during a chemical reaction.

Law of conservation of mass

States that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Coefficients

The large numbers in front of a chemical formula that can be changed to balance a chemical reaction.

Subscripts

The small numbers in front of a chemical symbol that cannot be changed in a chemical reaction.

Evidence of a chemical reaction

Indicators such as color change, gas production, precipitate formation, new odor, changes in temperature, or emission of light.

Synthesis reaction

A type of chemical reaction where substances combine to form a new compound.

Decomposition reaction

A process where a compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances.

Single replacement reaction

A chemical reaction where one element swaps places with another element in a compound.

Double replacement reaction

A reaction where two compounds exchange ions or bonds to form new compounds.

Combustion reaction

A chemical reaction that involves a substance reacting with oxygen, producing heat and light.

Hypothesis

A proposed explanation based on limited evidence that can be tested.

Scientific theory

An explanation of why things happen, based on a body of evidence.

Scientific law

A statement that describes the principles of science based on repeated experimental observations.

Control group

A group in an experiment that is kept unchanged for comparison with the experimental group.

Constant

A factor in an experiment that remains the same throughout.

Quantitative data

Data that can be measured numerically.

Qualitative data

Descriptive data that cannot be measured numerically.

Element

A pure substance made of only one type of atom.

Compound

A substance formed from two or more elements chemically combined.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances that do not chemically combine.

Solution

A mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another.

Valence electrons

Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom, responsible for chemical bonding.

Atomic number

The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom, which defines the element.