CHEM CH 1 Essential Ideas

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties, and interactions of matter.

What did Greeks believe matter consisted of?

Four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

What is a hypothesis in scientific research?

A tentative explanation of observations.

What are the three domains of chemistry?

Macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic.

What characterizes a solid state of matter?

A solid is rigid and possesses a definite shape.

What is plasma in the context of states of matter?

Plasma is a gaseous state of matter that contains electrically charged particles.

How is mass defined?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.

What is the law of conservation of matter?

There is no detectable change in the total quantity of matter present when matter converts from one type to another.

What is an element?

A type of pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical changes.

What distinguishes intensive properties from extensive properties?

Intensive properties do not depend on the amount of matter present, while extensive properties do.

What is a physical property?

A characteristic of matter not associated with a change in its chemical composition.

What is a chemical property?

The change of one type of matter into another type, or the inability to change.

What is the SI unit for measuring mass?

Kilogram (kg).

What does dimensional analysis involve?

It involves using units in mathematical operations to calculate measurements.

What is accuracy in measurements?

A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result close to the true value.

What is precision in measurements?

A measurement is said to be precise if it yields very similar results when repeated.

What happens during a physical change?

A change in the state or properties of matter without any change in its chemical composition.

What is an atom?

The smallest particle of an element that has the properties of that element.

What defines a mixture?

A mixture is composed of two or more types of matter that can be separated by physical changes.

What is significant figures in measurement?

All the digits in a measurement, including the uncertain last digit.