Chemistry Fundamentals Flashcards
chemistry
the science of matter
science
a process of summarizing information: concepts supported by experiments and observations; conclusion from a lengthy, repeating process
naturalism
philosophy: explaining events without the beliefs of supernatural intervention
empiricism
all knowledge can be explained through systematic observation
experiments
systematic experiments to obtain conclusions (emphasis: repeatedly)
scientific method
controlled experiments with systematically varied conditions
parsimony
the simplest explanation is most likely, falsibility
correlation
two variables linked by a positive or negative trend
causation
when one variable’s trends results in the other variable’s trends
matter
anything with mass or with volume
qualitative
observations described with language
quantitative
measured observations described with numbers and units
sigfigs
“signifigant figures”: #s measured with a device written with the proper degree of uncertainty, including certain digits and 1 uncertain digit at the end
always a sigfig
-from an electronic measuring device
-non 0 digits
-captive 0s
sometimes a sigfig
-trailing zeros: with a decimal place YES, without a decimal place NO
never a sigfig
-leading zeros
scientific notation
a way to discuss really big/small numbers and communicate precision without obscurity (nothing in scientific notation is a sigfig)
scientific notation rules
multiply & divide: answer must have same # of sfs
add & subtract: answer must have same # of decimal digits
dimensional analysis
analysis of the relationships between physical quantities by identifying them and the units of measurement and tracking these dimensions as calculations
units in operations
add: same
subtract: same
multiply: multiplied
divide: can cancel, or divided
unit conversions
using conversion factors (reciprocal) to cancel out unwanted units to get the wanted unit
compound units
units in both numerator and denominator
powered units
units that include exponents (when calculating, calculate exponents with WHOLE fractions)
unit hacking
using units to derive definitions
know the states of matter and their properties
solid, liquid, gas
- definite/flow shape&vol.
- vibration?
substances
have a chemical composition that is consistent throughout (a type of matter): consists of elements and compounds
elements
composed of 1 type of atom, has an atomic symbol, can not break down
compounds
consists of 2+ elements in a consistent ratio, can be broken down into smaller compounds or atoms
mixture
a physical blend of 2+ substances with varying proportions, not bonded
homogenous mixtures
consistent composition aka a solution
heterogeneous mixtures
components have distinct phases
extensive properties
properties that depend on the amount of material
intensive properties
properties that don’t depend on sample size
chemical properties
how a substance changes/reacts to form other substances, the ability to undergo specific change
