Unit 1 Explorations In Physical Science
Assignment 1: What is Science?
chemistry the study of the structure, properties, and interactions of materials and the
changes they undergo
physics the study of matter and energy and how they interact
science the systematic study and analysis of facts
scientific method a process to test a proposed solution to a problem
Unit 1 Explorations In Physical Science
Assignment 2: The Scientific Method
applied research research that results in a product that can be sold for profit
basic research research that expands knowledge in a particular area
control a quantity in an experiment that remains unchanged or constant
dependent variable the experimental factor that changes in response to a change in the
independent variable
empirical evidence observational evidence
hypothesis a proposed explanation for a scientific problem that itself can be tested by
experimentation
independent variable the experimental factor that is changed by the scientist
Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science
Assignment 3: The Metric System
kilogram base unit for measuring mass in the SI system
matter anything that has mass and occupies space
meter standard unit of length in the SI system
SI system an international standardized system of units used to communicate
scientific results
Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science
Assignment 4: Scales
accuracy an indication of how close a measurement is to the correct result
gradation scale markings that denote equal units of measure
precision the degree to which a measurement can be replicated
Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science
Assignment 5: Volume
liter standard unit for liquid volume in the metric system
meniscus the curved top surface of a liquid column
volume space occupied, measured in cubic units
Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science
Assignment 6: Test
Unit 1 Explorations in Physical Science
Assignment 7: Glossary
accuracy an indication of how close a measurement is to the correct result
applied research research that results in a product that can be sold for profit
basic research research that expands knowledge in a particular area
chemistry the study of the structure, properties, and interactions of materials and the
changes they undergo
control a quantity in an experiment that remains unchanged or constant
density the mass of a substance per unit of volume
dependent variable the experimental factor that changes in response to a change in the
independent variable
empirical evidence observational evidence
gradation scale markings that denote equal units of measure
gram a metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
hypothesis a proposed explanation for a scientific problem that itself can be tested by
experimentation
kilogram standard unit of mass in the metric system
independent variable the experimental factor that is changed by the scientist
liter standard unit for liquid volume in the metric system
mass the amount of matter in an object
matter anything that has mass and occupies space
meniscus the curved top surface of a liquid column
meter standard unit of length in the metric system
physics the study of matter and energy and how they interact
precision the degree to which a measurement can be replicated
science the systematic study and analysis of facts
scientific method a process to test a proposed solution to a problem
tare to adjust the balance scale to read zero
volume space occupied, measured in cubic units
weight the force of gravity acting on the mass of an object
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 1: History of Atomic Theory
atom the smallest whole unit of matter
electron negatively charged, subatomic particle
elements substances with only one type of atom
neutron neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of the atom
proton positively charged, subatomic particle found in the nucleus of the atom
radioactive elements elements that spontaneously decay into lesser atomic mass
elements by the emission of particles or energy
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 2: The Atomic Model
atomic mass the mass of the protons plus the mass of the neutrons in the nucleus of
an atom
atomic number the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
ground state lowest energy position of an electron in an atom
orbital the area around the nucleus of an atom where the probability of finding an
electron is greatest
photon fixed amounts of energy in light
quantum a fixed amount
quarks particles that make up neutrons and protons, classified as colors and
flavors
valence electrons electrons in the outermost shell of the atom, capable of taking part in
chemical reactions
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 3: Elements and Their Properties
elements substances made up of only one type of atom
metal an element that is malleable, polishes to a luster, conducts heat and
electricity well, and tends to lose electrons in a chemical reaction
metalloid an element with properties of both metals and nonmetals
nonmetal an element that is brittle, insulates heat and electricity well, and tends to
gain electrons in a chemical reaction
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 4: The Periodic Table
atomic weight the average relative mass of each element
family a vertical column on the periodic table; also called group
group a vertical column on the periodic table; also called family
isotope one of two or more atoms of the same element with different masses due
to different numbers of neutrons
period a horizontal row on the periodic table
periodic something that repeats itself on a regular, predictable basis
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 5: Isotopes and Atomic Calculations
This section has no new vocabulary.
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 6: Trends on the Periodic Table
halogens a family within the nonmetals (family 17) on the periodic table
noble gases a family of non-reactive gases (family 18) on the periodic table
stair-step a diagonal division on the periodic table that divides the metals from the
nonmetals and along which lay the metalloids
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 7: Compounds
binary compound a compound made up of two elements
compound two or more elements that have chemically combined
law of definite proportions the principle that a compound always contains exactly the
same elements in exactly the same proportions by mass
molecule the smallest unit into which a compound can be divided and still be that
same compound
subscript a lowered number in a chemical formula which indicates how many atoms
of the element preceding it are in the compound
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 8: Mixtures
alloy a solution between two solids
aqueous any solution with water as the solvent
colloid a heterogeneous mixture containing particles that are small enough to
stay suspended but large enough to scatter light
dissolve to break up into molecular or ionic parts and go into solution
heterogeneous mixture a mixture that does not look the same throughout and is easily
separated. A heterogeneous mixture may involve components in different phases.
homogeneous mixture a mixture that looks the same throughout and is in the same
phase.
immiscible a condition in which one liquid is not soluble in another liquid
mixture a combination of two or more components that are not chemically bonded
and retain their own properties
soluble capable of being dissolved by another substance
solute the substance being dissolved
solution a homogeneous mixture whose particles are too small to reflect or scatter
light
solvent the substance that does the dissolving
suspension a heterogeneous mixture containing relatively large particles that settle
fairly quickly
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 9: Separating Mixtures
distillation separation of the components of a mixture based on boiling points
filtration process of collecting solid particles of a suspension on a filter
screening separation technique for dry heterogeneous mixtures based on particle
size
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 10: Test
Unit 2 The Structure of Matter
Assignment 11: Glossary
alloy a solution between two solids
aqueous any solution with water as the solvent
atom the smallest whole unit of matter
atomic mass the number of protons + neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
atomic number the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
atomic weight the average relative mass of each element
binary compound a compound made up of two elements
colloid a heterogeneous mixture with small particles dispersed in another
medium that are small enough to stay suspended but large enough to scatter light
compound two or more elements that have chemically combined
dissolve to break up into molecular or ionic parts and go into solution
distillation separation of the components of a mixture based on boiling points
electron negatively charged, subatomic particle
elements substances with only one type of atom
family a vertical column on the periodic table; also called group
filtration process of collecting solid particles of a suspension on a filter
ground state lowest energy position of an electron in an atom
group a vertical column on the periodic table; also called family
halogens a family within the nonmetals (family 17) on the periodic table
heterogeneous mixture a mixture that does not have the same ratio of components
throughout the combination
homogeneous mixture a mixture with the same ratio of components throughout the
combination
immiscible a condition in which one liquid is not soluble in another liquid
isotope one of two or more atoms of the same element with different masses due
to different numbers of neutrons
law of definite proportions the principle that a compound always contains exactly the same
elements in exactly the same proportions by mass
metal an element that is malleable, polishes to a luster, conducts heat and
electricity well, and tends to lose electrons in a chemical reaction
metalloid an element with properties of both metals and nonmetals
mixture a combination of two or more components that are not chemically bonded
and retain their own properties
molecule the smallest unit into which a compound can be divided and still be that
same compound
neutron neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of the atom
noble gases a family of non-reactive gases (family 18) on the periodic table
nonmetal an element that is brittle, insulates heat and electricity well, and tends to
gain electrons in a chemical reaction
orbital the area around the nucleus of an atom where the probability of finding an
electron is greatest
period a horizontal row on the periodic table
periodic something that repeats itself on a regular, predictable basis
photon fixed amounts of energy in light
proton positively charged, subatomic particle found in the nucleus of the atom
quantum a fixed amount
quarks particles that make up neutrons and protons, classified as colors and
flavors
radioactive elements elements that spontaneously decay into lesser atomic mass
elements by the emission of particles or energy
screening separation technique for dry heterogeneous mixtures based on particle
size
soluble capable of being dissolved by another substance
solute the substance being dissolved
solution a homogeneous mixture whose particles are too small to reflect or scatter
light
solvent the substance that does the dissolving
stair-step a diagonal division on the periodic table that divides the metals from the
nonmetals and along which lay the metalloids
subscript a lowered number in a chemical formula which indicates how many atoms
of the element preceding it are in the compound
suspension a heterogeneous mixture containing relatively large particles that settle
fairly quickly
valence electrons electrons in the outermost shell of the atom, capable of taking part in
chemical reactions
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 1: States of Matter
condensation change of state from a gas to a liquid at the condensation point of a
substance
freezing change of state from a liquid to a solid at the freezing point of a substance
gas matter with no definite shape or volume
intermolecular bonds weak electrostatic bonds that form between particles of a
substance (atoms or molecules)
liquid matter with no definite shape but with definite volume
melting change of state from a solid to a liquid at the melting point of a substance
plasma matter in a high-energy state in which electrons are separated from their
nuclei
solid matter with definite shape and volume
sublimation the process of a solid changing directly to a gas without forming a liquid
temperature a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles of a substance
vaporization change of state from a liquid to a gas at the boiling point of a substance
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 2: Changes of State
calorie the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of
liquid water from 14.5 degrees C to 15.5 degrees C
latent heat of fusion amount of energy required to change 1 gram of material from the solid to
the liquid state at its melting point
latent heat of vaporization amount of energy required to change 1 gram of material from the
liquid to the gaseous state at its boiling point
phase diagram a graph that shows the state of a substance at any given temperature
specific heat the amount of energy required to change 1 gram of a substance by 1
degrees C
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 3: Solutions - The Dissolving Process
nonpolar a molecule with no internal charge variation due to bonding
polar a molecule with an uneven distribution of charge due to unequal sharing
of electrons during bonding
saturated solution a solution which has dissolved as much solute as it can at a particular
temperature
solubility the quantity of a solute that will dissolve in a given quantity of solvent to
form a saturated solution at a given temperature
unsaturated solution a solution which is still able to dissolve solute
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 4: Acids and Bases
acid a compound that yields hydronium ions in water
base a chemical species that releases hydroxide ions
corrode to eat away, break down, or become disordered
hydronium the positive ion that results when a hydrogen ion is bonded to a water
molecule (H3O+)
hydroxide a negative ion composed of a covalently bonded oxygen and hydrogen
(OH-)
indicator a substance used to show a change in chemical conditions
ion a charged atom or group of atoms
litmus a blue coloring matter obtained from certain plants
neutral having no preference or tendency to move one way or the other; neither
acid nor base
pH the scale that indicates the hydronium ion concentration
phenolphthalein a white powder used in testing acids and bases
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 5: Chemical Bonding
covalent bond a chemical bond formed by two electrons that are shared between two
atoms
energy level also known as a shell, where electrons are found in an atom
ionic bond a chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between ions
metallic bond a bond characteristic of metals in which mobile valence electrons are
shared among positive nuclei in the metallic crystal
molecule the smallest particle of a covalently bonded substance
octet eight electrons in the valence shell of an atom
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 6: Atomic Structure and Bonding
activation energy the energy necessary to start any chemical reaction
endothermic reaction reactions in which the products contain more energy than the
reactants
exothermic reaction reactions in which the products contain less energy than the
reactants
precipitate the insoluble solid formed when the solutes dissolved in two solutions
react
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 7: Chemical Reactions and Conservation of Mass
coefficient the number written in front of a chemical symbol in an equation
law of conservation of mass principle that during a chemical reaction the total mass of
the system is unchanged
product the substance made in a chemical reaction
reactant the starting material in a chemical reaction
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 8: Types of Chemical Reactions
decomposition reaction a chemical reaction in which one substance breaks up into two or
more new substances
double displacement reaction two ionic compounds reacting in solution to form two new
compounds, one of which is insoluble
neutralization reaction the reaction of an acid with a base to form a salt and water
salt chemical compound formed when the negative ions from an acid combine
with the positive ions of a base
single replacement reaction a reaction in which an active metal displaces a less active
metal or hydrogen from a compound solution (or a nonmetal replaces a nonmetal from a compound in solution)
synthesis reaction a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a new
substance
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 9: Radioactivity
alpha particle particle radiating from the nucleus of some atoms; identical to a helium
nucleus
beta particle negative particle identical to an electron but radiating from a decaying
nucleus
gamma ray high-intensity electromagnetic wave of energy radiating from some
decaying nuclei
isotope one of two or more atoms of the same element with different masses due
to different numbers of neutrons
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 10: Nuclear Reactions
daughter element the new element produced along with a decay particle in a nuclear
transmutation
half-life the time required for the decay of one-half of the atoms in a sample of
radioactive material
parent element the substance that decays in a nuclear transmutation
transmutation the change of one chemical element into another by nuclear decay or
radioactive bombardment
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 11: Nuclear Energy
chain reaction a self-sustaining reaction that creates an on-going series of reactions
critical mass the amount of fissionable material required to keep a reaction going
fission the splitting of a nucleus into two smaller nuclei whose combined mass is
less than that of the original nucleus
fusion the joining of two small nuclei to form one nucleus with a larger mass than
the combined mass of the original nuclei
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 12: Test
Unit 3 Matter And Change
Assignment 13: Glossary
acid a compound that yields hydronium ions in water
activation energy the energy necessary to start any chemical reaction
alpha particle particle radiating from the nucleus of some atoms; identical to a helium
nucleus
base a chemical species that releases hydroxide ions
beta particle negative particle identical to an electron but radiating from a decaying
nucleus
calorie the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of
liquid water from 14.5°C to 15.5°C
chain reaction a spontaneous or induced reaction that continues to feed itself and keep
itself going
coefficient the number written in front of a chemical symbol in an equation
condensation change of state from a gas to a liquid at the condensation point of a
substance
corrode to eat away, break down, or become disordered
covalent bond a chemical bond formed by two electrons that are shared between two
atoms
critical mass mass of a nuclear substance that, if combined into one piece, would result
in a spontaneous nuclear reaction
daughter element the new element produced along with a decay particle in a nuclear
transmutation
decomposition reaction a chemical reaction in which one substance breaks up into two or
more new substances
double displacement reaction two ionic compounds reacting in solution to form two new
compounds, one of which is insoluble
endothermic reaction reactions in which the products contain more energy than the
reactants
energy level the orbitals of an atom where electrons are found
exothermic reaction reactions in which the products contain less energy than the reactants
fission the splitting of a nucleus into two smaller nuclei whose combined mass is
less than that of the original nucleus
freezing change of state from a liquid to a solid at the freezing point of a substance
fusion the joining of two small nuclei to form one nucleus with a larger mass than
the combined mass of the original nuclei
gamma ray high-intensity bundle of energy being emitted from some decaying nuclei
gas matter with no definite shape or volume
half-life the time required for the decay of one-half of the atoms in a sample of
radioactive material
hydronium the positive ion that results when a hydrogen ion is bonded to a water
molecule (H3O+)
hydroxide a negative ion composed of a covalently bonded oxygen and hydrogen,
(OH-)
indicator a substance used to show a change in chemical conditions
intermolecular bonds weak electrostatic bonds that form between particles of a
substance (atoms or molecules)
ion a charged atom or group of atoms
ionic bond a chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between ions
isotope one of two or more atoms of the same element with different masses due
to different numbers of neutrons
latent heat of fusion amount of energy required to change 1 gram of material from the solid to
the liquid state at its melting point
latent heat of vaporization amount of energy required to change 1 gram of material from the
liquid to the gaseous state at its boiling point
law of conservation of mass principle that during a chemical reaction the total mass of
the system is unchanged
liquid matter with no definite shape but with definite volume
litmus a blue coloring matter obtained from certain plants
melting change of state from a solid to a liquid at the melting point of a substance
metallic bond a bond characteristic of metals in which mobile valence electrons are
shared among positive nuclei in the metallic crystal
molecule the smallest particle of a covalently bonded substance
neutral having no preference or tendency to move one way or the other; neither
acid nor base
neutralization reaction the reaction of an acid with a base to form a salt and water
nonpolar a molecule with no internal charge variation due to bonding
octet eight electrons in the valence energy level of an atom
parent element the substance that decays in a nuclear transmutation
pH the scale that indicates the hydronium ion concentration
phase diagram a graph that shows the state of a substance at any given temperature
phenolphthalein a white powder used in testing acids and bases
plasma matter in a high-energy state in which electrons are separated from their
nuclei
polar a molecule with an uneven distribution of charge due to unequal sharing
of electrons during bonding
precipitate the insoluble solid formed when the solutes dissolved in two solutions
react
product the substance made in a chemical reaction
reactant the starting material in a chemical reaction
salt chemical compound formed when the negative ions from an acid combine
with the positive ions of a base
saturated solution a solution which has dissolved as much solute as it can at a particular
temperature
single replacement reaction a reaction in which an active metal displaces a less active
metal or hydrogen from a compound solution (or a nonmetal replaces a nonmetal from a compound in solution)
solid matter with definite shape and volume
solubility the quantity of a solute that will dissolve in a given quantity of solvent to
form a saturated solution at a given temperature
specific heat the amount of energy required to change 1 gram of a substance 1°
synthesis reaction a reaction in which two or more substances combine to form two or more
new substances
temperature a measure of the kinetic energy of the particles of a substance
transmutation the change of one chemical element into another by nuclear decay or
radioactive bombardment
unsaturated solution a solution which is still able to dissolve solute
vaporization change of state from a liquid to a gas at the boiling point of a substance
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 1: Properties of Solids
amorphous a non-crystalline solid having no orderly arrangement of molecules
cleavage a clean break parallel to planes of weakness in a crystal
crystal a solid form resulting from the arrangement of atoms, ions, or
molecules in definite geometric patterns
fracture a break that does not follow a flat surface, but rather is rough and uneven
hardness resistance to being scratched
mineral a single chemical compound or element that is found in nature
toughness the amount of kinetic energy that a material can absorb without breaking
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 2: Elasticity and Strength in Solids
brittle a substance with little elasticity which fails (ruptures) quickly once a crack
develops
ceramic a hard, brittle, heat- and corrosion-resistant material made by subjecting a
nonmetallic mineral mixture to intense heat
composite a carbon fiber embedded in a polymer resin matrix
ductile capable of being pulled into wires
elastic deformation reversible alteration of the form or dimensions of a solid body under
stress
hydrogen bond a type of intermolecular bond that forms between different polar
molecules or between polar parts of the same molecule
malleable ability to be hammered into shapes
plastic deformation deformation that remains after the load causing it is removed; permanent
deformation
plastics man-made materials derived from carbon compounds, mostly oil and
petroleum products
polymer a long, chainlike molecule made up of repeating units joined end-to-end
strain the quantity that characterizes how a solid is deformed due to a stress
strength the resistance of a material to failure (rupture or breaking in two)
stress the force required to deform an object
tensile strength ability to which a material can withstand a stretching stress without
breaking
thermoplastics plastics that have high elongations and can be recycled
thermosets plastics that have low elongations and cannot be recycled
toughness the amount of kinetic energy that a material can absorb without breaking;
the energy required to crack a material
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 3: Electrical Conductivity in Solids
atomic core the nucleus of an atom plus its non-valence electrons
electrical conduction the transfer of electrical current through a solid (or liquid)
insulator material that either does not conduct electricity at all or has a very low
conductivity
semiconductors substances that are intermediate in their ability to conduct electricity
superconductors solids with abnormally high electrical conductivity
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 4: Characteristics of Liquids
diffusion the overall movement of suspended or dissolved particles resulting from
the random movements of individual particles
fluid any material that flows and offers little resistance to change in shape
when under pressure
fractional distillation the separation of solution components (fractions) based on boiling
points
liquid a material that has a fixed volume but whose shape depends on the
container
liquid crystal a material that shows some properties of solids and some properties of
liquids
miscible ability of certain liquids to dissolve in each other
thermal expansion the change in volume in relation to change in temperature
van der Waals forces weak intermolecular bonds that form between polar parts of
neighboring particles
viscosity a measure of the resistance of a liquid to flow
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 5: Characteristics of Liquids
fluid pressure the force that fluids exert on the surfaces of objects
force an effect that changes the motion (velocity or direction) of an object with
mass
hydraulic lift a large and a small chamber connected by a tube, filled with fluid, and
used to produce large forces
weight a force equal to the mass of an object x acceleration of gravity
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 6: Archimedes’ Principle and Floatation
buoyant force the difference between the upward force acting on the lower surface and
the downward force acting on the upper surface of a submerged object
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 7: Liquids and Capillary Action
adhesion the attraction between unlike substances
capillary action the movement of liquids through the spaces of materials
cohesion attraction of one particle in a material for another
evaporation vaporization of a liquid below its boiling point; occurs mostly at the surface
of the liquid
surface tension attraction between molecules at the surface of a liquid column
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 8: General Characteristics of Gases
diatomic molecule two atoms chemically bonded together
kinetic energy the energy of motion
kinetic molecular theory the theory that attempts to explain gas behavior at the molecular
level
molecular weight the sum of the masses of each atom in the formula of a gas measured in
atomic mass units
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 9: Pressure and Volume in Gases
barometer a device for measuring atmospheric pressure
Boyle's law the inverse relationship between pressure and volume of gases such that
as pressure increases, volume decreases by the same fraction of change; temperature and number of molecules remain constant
manometer a device used to measure the pressure of an enclosed gas
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 10: Temperature and Volume Changes in Gases
absolute zero the lowest possible temperature, equal to -273 degrees C or 0 K
ideal gas an imaginary gas that perfectly obeys the gas laws
Kelvin scale temperature scale that starts with absolute zero
Charles's law relationship in which the volume of a given amount of gas is directly
proportional to its absolute temperature at constant pressure
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 11: Test
Unit 4 States of Matter
Assignment 12: Glossary
absolute zero the lowest possible temperature, equal to -273°C or 0 K
adhesion the attraction between unlike substances.
amorphous a non-crystalline solid having no orderly arrangement of molecules
atomic core the nucleus of an atom plus its non-valence electrons
barometer a device for measuring atmospheric pressure
Boyle's law the inverse relationship between pressure and volume of gases such that
as pressure increases, volume decreases by the same fraction of change; temperature and number of molecules remain constant
brittle a substance with little elasticity which fails (ruptures) quickly once a crack
develops
buoyant force the difference between the upward force acting on the lower surface and
the downward force acting on the upper surface of a submerged object
capillary action the movement of liquids through the spaces of materials
ceramic a hard, brittle, heat- and corrosion-resistant material made by subjecting a
nonmetallic mineral mixture to intense heat
Charles's law relationship in which the volume of a given amount of gas is directly
proportional to its absolute temperature at constant pressure
cleavage a clean break parallel to planes of weakness in a crystal
cohesion attraction of one particle in a material for another
composite a carbon fiber embedded in a polymer resin matrix
crystal a solid form resulting from the arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules
in definite geometric patterns
diatomic molecule two atoms chemically bonded together
diffusion the overall movement of suspended or dissolved particles resulting from
the random movements of individual particles
ductile capable of being pulled into wires
elastic deformation reversible alteration of the form or dimensions of a solid body under
stress
electrical conduction the transfer of electrical current through a solid (or liquid)
evaporation vaporization of a liquid below its boiling point; occurs mostly at the surface
of the liquid
fluid any material that flows and offers little resistance to change in shape
when under pressure
fluid pressure the force that fluids exert on the surface of objects
force an effect that changes the motion (velocity or direction) of an object with
mass
fractional distillation the separation of solution components (fractions) based on boiling
points
fracture a break that does not follow a flat surface, but rather is rough and uneven
hardness resistance to being scratched
hydraulic lift a large and a small chamber connected by a tube, filled with fluid, and
used to produce large forces
hydrogen bond a type of intermolecular bond that forms between different polar
molecules or between polar parts of the same molecule
ideal gas an imaginary gas that perfectly obeys the gas laws
insulator material that either does not conduct electricity at all or has a very low
conductivity
Kelvin scale temperature scale that starts with absolute zero
kinetic energy the energy of motion
kinetic molecular theory the theory that attempts to explain gas behavior at the molecular
level
liquid materials that have fixed volume but whose shape depends on the
container
liquid crystal a material that shows some properties of solids and some properties of
liquids
malleable ability to be hammered into shapes
manometer a device used to measure the pressure of an enclosed gas
mineral a single chemical compound or element that is found in nature
miscible ability of certain liquids to dissolve in each other
molecular weight the sum of the masses of each atom in the formula of a gas measured in
atomic mass units
plastic deformation deformation that remains after the load causing it is removed; permanent
deformation
plastics man-made materials derived from carbon compounds, mostly oil and
petroleum products
polymer a long, chainlike molecule made up of repeating units joined end-to-end
semiconductors substances that are intermediate in their ability to conduct electricity
strain the quantity that characterizes how a solid is deformed due to a stress
strength the resistance of a material to failure (rupture or breaking in two)
stress the force required to deform an object
superconductors solids with abnormally high electrical conductivity
surface tension attraction between molecules at the surface of a liquid column
tensile strength ability to which a material can withstand a stretching stress without
breaking
thermal expansion the change in volume in relation to change in temperature
thermoplastics plastics that have high elongations and can be recycled
thermosets plastics that have low elongations and cannot be recycled
toughness the amount of kinetic energy that a material can absorb without breaking
van der Waals forces weak intermolecular bonds that form between polar parts of
neighboring particles
viscosity a measure of the resistance of a liquid to flow
weight a force equal to mass x acceleration due to gravity