Chemistry: Properties, Substances, Solutions, and Chemical Reactions

Property

A characteristic of a substance that does not change.

Substance

A type of matter defined by a unique particle.

Soluble

Describes a substance that can dissolve in a liquid (called the solvent).

Solvent

A substance in which a solute dissolves to form a solution.

Solution

A mixture formed when one substance dissolves in another.

Solute

A substance that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution.

State of matter

Characterized by the arrangement and movement of a substance's particles. Includes: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Dissolve

To mix one substance uniformly into a liquid at the particle level. This is an example of physical change.

Mixture

A blend of two or more substances that do not form a new substance.

Viscosity

A substance's resistance to flow.

Insoluble

Describes a material that does not dissolve into something else.

Solubility

The ability of a substance to dissolve in a liquid.

Density

A ratio of mass to volume. D=m/v.

Flammability

The ability for a substance to catch fire or not.

Meniscus

The apparent dip in a liquid when measuring in a graduated cylinder due to surface tension.

Element

A fundamental substance that cannot be broken into simpler substances by chemical or physical processes.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element.

Molecule

A particle made of two or more atoms that are held together with strong (covalent) bonds.

Chemical Reaction

A process during which the atoms of starting substances (reactants) rearrange to form new substances (products).

Phase Change

The temperature at which a substance will change phase. Example: solid to liquid.

Product

A substance produced in a chemical reaction.

Reactant

A starting substance in a chemical reaction.

Acid rain

Rain that contains an excessive amount of acid.

Pollutants

Harmful substances that negatively affect organisms and the environment.

Sulphuric acid

A strong, corrosive, colorless liquid chemical (with the formula H2SO4) that is very dangerous.

Nitric acid

A very strong, corrosive liquid chemical with the formula HNO3.

Iron

A heavy, malleable, and magnetic metal element.

Calcium carbonate

A white, odorless, inorganic compound that occurs naturally in limestone, marble, chalk, and pearls.

Malic acid

A naturally occurring organic compound that gives food its sour taste.