Midterm! Flashcards
Commit this nonsense to memory.
Entropy
The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Energy spontaneously tends to flow only from being concentrated in one place to becoming diffused or dispersed & spread out). A measure of the amount of energy which is unavailable to do work.
Element
Substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances.
Compound
Substance formed by the combination of elements fixed in proportions.
Atom
Smallest part of an element that can ever exist consisting of a dense nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounding by moving electrons.
Molecule
The simplest structural unit that displays the characteristic physical and chemical properties of a compound.
Ion
Atom or group of atoms that has lost one or more electrons making it positively charged (cation) or gained one or more electrons making it negatively charged (anion).
Chemical Bond
Strong force of attraction based on transfer or sharing of electrons that holds atoms together in a molecule.
Chemical Reaction
Change in which one or more chemical elements or compounds form new compounds.
Durability and performance of a material determined by what factors?
Density Porosity Permeability Absorption Adsorption Strength Thermal Properties Acoustic Properties Frost Resistance Soluble Salt Content Chemical Resistance Fire Resistance Susceptibility to Deformation Susceptibility to Deterioration and Decay Natural and Production Defects Appearance
Cellulose
Wood
Crystalline polysaccharide consisting of a long unbranched chain structure of glucose units; responsible for providing rigidity of the cell wall; represents approx. 45-60% of the dry weight of wood.
Hemicellulose
Wood
Semi-crystalline polysaccharide consisting of a shorter chain structure; represents approx. 10-25% of the dry weight of wood.
Lignin
Wood
A complex amorphous organic polymer deposited within the cellulose of plant cell walls; lignification makes the walls woody and therefore rigid; represents approx. 20-35% of the dry weight of wood; greater proportion present in softwoods than hardwoods.
Igneous Rocks
Formed by the solidification of molten rock material.Coarse or fine grained. Granite, basalt, quartz, feldspars, mica
Metamorphic Rocks
Formed through the alteration of igneous and sedimentary rocks by the action of heat and pressure.Slate, schist, gneiss
Sedimentary Rocks
Formed by the accumulation of rock waste at the Earth’s surface.Coarse, medium, or fine grainedClassified according to origin:- Mechanical- Chemical- Organic Limestone, sandstone
Binder
Material used to form the cementing matrix in mortars, renders and plasters, and which typically is derived from lime, gypsum, or artificial cements. Mixed with sands and aggregates to provide workable product.
Concrete
A mix of binder with sands and other aggregates to form an amorphous material capable of use.
Ferrous Metals
Cast and wrought iron.Composed principally of iron with varying amounts of carbon and other elements. Wrought iron strong in tension.Cast iron is brittle in nature; used in compression for columns.
Non-ferrous Metals
Sheet roof coverings, flashings, weatherings, plumbing.Lead, copper, zinc, aluminum.
Bituminous Products
Asphalt and bitumen; amorphous (non-crystalline).Typically resistant to the passage of water and water vapor. Liable to flow or creep under mechanical stress and soften in response to increase in temperature.
Saturation
Maximum water vapor content in the air
Humidity Ratio
The ratio of the water vapor mass to the dry air mass. [units: lb or kg, or as grains of water vapor] Also called Absolute Humidity or Moisture Content.
Relative Humidity
A measure of how much water vapor air is holding relative to how much water vapor it could hold at that temperature and pressure. The ratio of vapor pressure of water (Pv) (partial pressure at saturation) to the actual partial pressure of water vapor(PH20). Relative Humidity = PH2O / Pv x 100%
Dry Bulb Temperature
The temperature of the air as measured with any common thermometer.