Science Midterm Flashcards
Define model and what makes it workable
A model is a representation of an idea, object, or process that helps to explain or predict phenomena. A workable model effectively simulates real-world conditions and produces reliable results.
Define physical science
Physical science is the study of non-living systems, encompassing fields such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and earth sciences.
What is the difference between precision and accuracy?
Precision refers to the consistency of measurements, while accuracy indicates how close a measurement is to the true value.
What are the steps in scientific inquiry?
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Analysis
- Conclusion
Convert 10 grams to milligrams
10 grams = 10,000 milligrams
Common SI measures include
- Meter (length)
- Kilogram (mass)
- Second (time)
- Ampere (electric current)
- Kelvin (temperature)
- Mole (amount of substance)
What is scientific notation?
A way of expressing numbers as a product of a coefficient and a power of ten.
How do you find the percent of error?
subtract the actual number from the estimated number to find the error. Then, you divide the error in absolute value by the actual number in absolute value.
What is the formula for density?
Density = Mass / Volume
Define element, compound, and mixture
- Element: A pure substance made of one type of atom
- Compound: A substance formed when two or more elements chemically bond
- Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that retain their individual properties.
Characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases include
- Solids: Definite shape and volume
- Liquids: Definite volume but no definite shape
- Gases: No definite shape or volume
What is the Law of Conservation of Matter?
Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system.
What are the states of matter?
- Solid
- Liquid
- Gas
- Plasma
Identify the parts of an atom
- Protons
- Neutrons
- Electrons
How are atomic number and atomic mass determined?
Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom, while atomic mass is the total number of protons and neutrons.
What is an isotope?
Isotopes are variants of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
How do ions form?
Ions form when atoms gain or lose electrons.
What is the weighted average of common isotopes?
It is calculated by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance and summing the results.
Identify periods, groups, and families on the periodic table
- Periods: Horizontal rows
- Groups: Vertical columns
- Families: Elements with similar properties in a group.
What is electronegativity?
Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
Classify elements as transitional metals, halogens, noble gases, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, and metalloids
- Transitional metals: Groups 3-12
- Halogens: Group 17
- Noble gases: Group 18
- Alkali metals: Group 1
- Alkaline-earth metals: Group 2
- Metalloids: Elements along the zig-zag line
How do you determine the number of valence electrons in an element?
The number of valence electrons is determined by the group number of the element in the periodic table.
Compare the properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids
- Metals: Good conductors, malleable, ductile
- Nonmetals: Poor conductors, brittle, not malleable
- Metalloids: Properties of both metals and nonmetals
What is the octet rule?
The octet rule states that atoms tend to bond in a way that gives them eight valence electrons, achieving a stable electron configuration.
