Chapter 1, Section 1: Describing Matter

Matter

anything that has mass and takes up space

Substance

A single kind of matter that is pure meaning that it always has a specific makeup and has a specific set of properties

Chemical Property

A characteristic of a pure substance that describes its ability to change into different substances; Can't be see without changing a substance into a new substance

Atom

the basic particle from which all elements are made

Molecule

groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Can be 2 of the same atoms or 2 + different atoms

Chemical Formula

A combination of symbols that represents the elements in a compound and the ratio of atoms.

Heterogeneous Mixture

a mixture in which you can see the different parts and materials are mixed unevenly

Homogeneous Mixture

a mixture where you can't see the different parts and materials are mixed evenly

Solution

a well-mixed mixture (containing a solvent and at least one solute that has the same properties throughout)
ex. salt water

Chemistry

the study of the properties of matter and how matter changes

Physical Property

A characteristic of a pure substance that can be observed without changing matter into another substance; used to classify matter

Element

a pure substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical or physical means

Chemical Bond

the force that holds two atoms together; the force of attraction between 2 atoms

Compound

a pure substance made of two or more elements chemically combined in a set ratio

Mixture

made up of two or more substances, elements, or compounds or both, that are mixed together but not chemically combined