Chapter 9 Flashcards
absolute zero
the lowest temperature theoretically possible; the temperature at which all molecular motion ceases.
barometer
a device for measuring atmospheric pressure
barometric pressure
the local value of atmospheric pressure.
boiling point
the temperature at which a substance enters a phase transition from a liquid to a gas (or vapor), or vice versa.
brittleness
a physical property that describes a substance’s tendency to shatter
chemical property
a property that describes chemical reactions a substance will or will not engage in.
combustion
a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and flame.
compressive strength
a physical property that describes the ability of a substance to withstand crushing forces.
corrosion
the destructive oxidation of metal.
density
the ratio of mass for a substance; the physical property that describes the amount of mass in a given volume.
ductility
a physical property, typical of many metals, that indicates that a substance can be drawn into a wire by pulling the substance through a die (a metal block with a hole in it).
elasticity
a physical property that describes a substances ability to stretch without breaking or becoming permanently deformed.
electrical conductivity
a physical property that describes the ability of a substance to conduct electricity. metals typically have a high electrical conductivity.
evaporation
when a substance undergoes the phase transition from a liquid to a vapor without first being heated to boiling point.
flammable
a physical property that describes a substance’s ability to burn. combustable.