Semester 1: Key Terms & Vocab

Question 1

Define Chemistry.

Answer 1

The science of materials and the changes that these materials undergo

Question 2

What is the Scientific Method?

Answer 2

A process of studying natural phenomena that involves making observations, forming laws and theories, and testing theories by experimentation

Question 3

What is a measurement as it relates to science?

Answer 3

a quantitative observation

Question 4

What is a theory as it relates to science?

Answer 4

A set of assumptions put forth to explain some aspect of the observed behavior of matter

Question 5

What is natural law?

Answer 5

a statement that summarizes generally observed behavior

Question 6

Describe an engineer.

Answer 6

A person who applies scientific principles to solve problems and design systems, structures, and processes

Question 7

Describe a Chemical Engineer.

Answer 7

A person who uses the principles of chemistry and the practices of engineering to develop processes and products that solve real-world problems

Question 8

What is a Criterion?

Answer 8

A requirement or standard that a solution must meet

Question 9

What is a Constraint?

Answer 9

A limitation on a solution

Question 10

What is a trade-off?

Answer 10

An exchange of one advantage in favor of a different advantage.

Question 11

What is Matter?

Answer 11

The material of the universe

Question 12

What are Atoms?

Answer 12

The fundamental units of which elements are composed

Question 13

What is a Compound?

Answer 13

A substance made of two or more different elements joined together in a specific way

Question 14

What is a Molecule?

Answer 14

A collection of atoms bonded together that behave as a unit.

Question 15

What is an Element?

Answer 15

A substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by chemical or physical means. It consists of atoms all having the same Atomic Number.

Question 16

What is a Solid, in terms of Matter?

Answer 16

One of the Three States of Matter – it has a fixed shape and volume

Question 17

What is a Liquid, in terms of Matter?

Answer 17

One of the Three States of Matter - it has a definite volume that takes the shape of its container.

Question 18

What is a Gas, in terms of Matter?

Answer 18

One of the Three States of Matter - a substance with no definite shape or volume.

Question 19

Define Physical Property

Answer 19

The characteristics of a substance that do not involve changing to another substance

Question 20

Define Chemical Property

Answer 20

Characteristics that describe the ability of a substance to change to a different substance

Question 21

Define Physical Change

Answer 21

A physical change involves a change in one or more physical properties but no change in composition.

Question 22

Define Chemical Change

Answer 22

A chemical change transforms a substance into one or more new substances.

Question 23

What is a Mixture?

Answer 23

a substance with variable composition

Question 24

What is an Alloy?

Answer 24

A mixture of elements that have metallic properties

Question 25

What is a Pure Substance?

Answer 25

A substance with constant composition - a pure element or a pure compound

Question 26

What is a Homogeneous Mixture?

Answer 26

A mixture that is the same throughout

Question 27

What is a Solution?

Answer 27

A homogeneous mixture

Question 28

What is a Heterogeneous Mixture?

Answer 28

A mixture that has different properties in different regions of the mixture

Question 29

What is the Law of Constant Composition?

Answer 29

A given compound always has the same proportion by mass of the elements of which it is composed