Chapter 1: Introduction to Chemistry – Video Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on introduction to chemistry, macroscopic/microscopic/symbolic perspectives, properties, materials, methods, and measurements.

Macroscopic Perspective

The level of chemistry describing matter and changes observable with the naked eye.

Microscopic Perspective

The particulate level—atoms, molecules, and bonds; not visible to the naked eye.

Symbolic Perspective

Use of symbols, formulas, and equations to represent substances and reactions.

Three Levels of Understanding in Chemistry

Macroscopic, Microscopic, and Symbolic perspectives.

Physical Change

A change in matter that does not alter its chemical identity.

Chemical Change

A change that alters the chemical identity of a substance, forming new substances.

Physical Property

A property that can be measured without changing the substance’s identity (e.g., density, color, melting point).

Chemical Property

A property observed during a chemical change (e.g., flammability, reactivity).

Malleability

Ability of a material, especially metal, to be hammered into shapes or sheets.

Ductility

Ability of a material to be drawn into wires.

Density

Mass per unit volume; d = m/V.

Boiling Point

Temperature at which a liquid begins to boil.

Melting Point

Temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid.

Solubility

Ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.

Corrosion

Degradation of metals due to reaction with air and moisture.

Bauxite

Aluminum ore; main source of aluminum; contains minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore.

Gibbsite

Aluminum hydroxide mineral: Al(OH)3, found in bauxite.

Boehmite

Gamma-AlO(OH), a mineral in bauxite.

Diaspore

Alpha-AlO(OH), a mineral in bauxite.

Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)

Aluminum oxide, also called alumina, a key component in bauxite processing.

Aluminum

A malleable, abundant metal; its widespread use is due to collaboration between chemistry and engineering.

Scientific Method

A cycle of observation, hypothesis/model, and experiments to solve problems.

Observation

Noting and recording natural phenomena.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation or educated guess tested by experiments.

Experiment

Controlled procedures used to test a hypothesis or model.

Model

A simplified description used to explain observations and organize data.

Inductive Reasoning

Reasoning that generalizes from specific observations to broader conclusions.

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning that derives conclusions from general statements or premises.

SI Base Units

Base units for measurement: kilogram (mass), meter (length), second (time), ampere (electric current), kelvin (temperature), mole (amount), candela (luminous intensity).

Derived Units

Units formed from base units (e.g., joule = kg·m^2·s^-2).

SI Prefixes

Multipliers that scale base units (e.g., kilo 10^3, milli 10^-3, micro 10^-6, nano 10^-9).

Temperature Scales

Fahrenheit, Celsius, and Kelvin scales for measuring temperature.

Temperature Conversions

Formulas to convert between scales (e.g., F = 1.8°C + 32; K = °C + 273.15).

Significant Figures

Digits that carry meaning in a measurement; rules govern which zeros are significant.

Exact Numbers

Counts or defined terms with infinite significant figures; do not limit precision in calculations.

Random Error

Unpredictable variation in measurements due to uncontrollable factors.

Systematic Error

Consistent bias in measurements due to a flaw in the method or instrument.

Accuracy vs. Precision

Accuracy: closeness to true value; Precision: reproducibility of measurements.

Electrolysis

Using electricity to drive a chemical reaction, such as splitting water into H2 and O2.

Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2)

Gases produced in water electrolysis; molecular hydrogen and oxygen.