CHEM 1050 Lecture 1: Introduction to Thermodynamics and Kinetics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the first lecture of CHEM 1050, focusing on thermodynamics, kinetics, measurements, and related scientific principles.

Thermodynamics

The science of the relationship between different forms of energy and mass.

Kinetics

The study of the rate of chemical reactions and the factors affecting it.

SI Unit

The International System of Units used to measure physical quantities.

Precision

The degree to which repeated measurements under unchanged conditions show the same results.

Uncertainty

The estimate of the amount by which a measured or calculated value could vary.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion, defined as 1/2 mv², where m is mass and v is velocity.

Potential Energy

Energy of position or configuration.

Internal Energy

Energy associated with the random motion of molecules.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

System

The part of the universe we are studying, such as a chemical reaction in a flask.

Surroundings

Everything outside the system, including the rest of the universe.

Open System

A system that can exchange both mass and energy with its surroundings.

Closed System

A system that can exchange energy but not mass with its surroundings.

Isolated System

A system that cannot exchange either mass or energy with its surroundings.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction that releases heat, causing the surrounding temperature to rise.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction that absorbs heat, causing the surrounding temperature to drop.

Significant Figures

Digits that carry meaning contributing to its precision, often used in scientific measurements.

Energy

The capacity to do work or to produce heat, measured in joules.

Thermochemistry

The study of heat changes that accompany chemical reactions.

Differential Equations

Mathematical equations that relate a function with its derivatives, used in various fields including kinetics.

Molecular Science

The study of how molecules change, how fast they change, and how they affect our lives.