IB Chem Topic 1.1: Key Definitions, States of Matter and Ideal Gasses (Tiber Tutor)

Elements

• Simplest substances made of one type of atom

• Cannot be broken down

Compounds

• Substances made of 2 or more atoms chemically bonded in fixed ratios

• Have different properties than their constituent elements

• Can be broken down by chemical means

Mixtures

• Substances made of more than one element or compound not chemically bonded together

• can be separated by physical means

• Each component retains it’s individual properties

Homogeneous mixtures

• components in same state (ex. 2 liquids)

• Water and alcohol

Heterogeneous mixtures

• components in different states (solid and liquid)

• Sand and Water

Solids

• Fixed volume and shape

• Particles vibrate around fixed position

• doesn’t take shape of container

• Strong intermolecular forces

Liquids

• Fixed volume

• fill shape of container

• particles slide over each other

• weak intermolecular forces

Gases

• no fixed volume

• fill shape of a container

• particles move randomly in space

• very weak intermolecular forces