Chemical Properties and Safety Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards defining chemical properties and safety terms along with distinctions between related terms based on pre-lab notes.

Asphyxiant

A gas or vapor that causes suffocation by depriving the body of oxygen.

Caustic

Refers to specifically strong alkaline chemicals that burn living tissue.

Corrosive

A broad term for anything that eats away at materials.

Caustic vs. Corrosive

Caustic refers to specifically strong alkaline chemicals that burn living tissue, whereas corrosive is a broad term for anything that eats away at materials.

Flash Point

The lowest temperature at which it gives off enough vapor to form a flammable mixture in the air and ignite briefly when exposed to spark or flame.

Acute Health Hazard

Causes harm quickly after a single brief exposure.

Chronic Health Hazard

Causes harm slowly over time resulting in long-term damage from repeated exposure.

Acute Health Hazard vs. Chronic Health Hazard

Acute causes harm quickly after a single brief exposure; chronic causes harm slowly over time resulting in long-term damage from repeated exposure.

Irritant

Something that causes pain, itching, swelling, or discomfort.

Mutagen

A physical or chemical that changes an organism's DNA, increasing mutations.

Oxidizer

Something that strips electrons from other molecules during a chemical reaction. Causes fires or flames to get bigger.

Stability

When a substance is not currently reacting.

Reactivity

How easily a substance undergoes chemical reaction.

Combustible

Ignite and Burns, but requires higher temperatures to catch fire.

Explosive

Causes a sudden violent release of pressure, gas and heat.

Flammable

Catches fire easily and burns quickly at room temperature.

Pyrophoric

Ignite spontaneously when exposed to air.

Combustible vs. Explosive vs. Flammable vs. Pyrophoric

Combustible: ignite and Burns, but requires higher temperatures to catch fire; Explosive: causes a sudden violent release of pressure, gas and heat; Flammable: Catches fire easily and burns quickly at room temperature; Pyrophoric: Ignite spontaneously when exposed to air.

Hemolytic

Can destroy red blood cells.

Volatile

Likely to change quickly and unpredictably or a substance that easily turns into a gas.