Classification of Matter Quiz

Study Notes

Element: A pure substance where all atoms share the same identity.
Compound: A substance formed from two or more different elements, combined in a fixed proportion.
Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that retain their individual properties.

Homogeneous Mixture: Evenly blended mixture, also known as a solution; components are indistinguishable.
Heterogeneous Mixture: Mixture with visibly different substances; proportions can vary and components are easily separated.
Colloid: A mixture where particles are larger than in solutions but small enough to remain suspended, exemplified by the Tyndall Effect, which is light scattering by colloidal particles.
Suspension: A heterogeneous mixture where larger particles float and may settle over time.

Physical Property: Observed without changing the substance’s identity, e.g., color, melting point.
Physical Change: Transformation that alters a substance's form but not its chemical identity; includes changes in state or shape.
Distillation: Process utilizing boiling point differences for separating components in mixtures.
Chemical Property: Indicates a substance’s potential to undergo chemical changes or reactions.
Chemical Change: Process leading to the conversion of one substance into another distinct substance.

Law of Conservation of Matter: Matter is neither created nor destroyed; atoms are rearranged.
Law of Mass: Total mass before a chemical change equals total mass after the change.
Kinetic Theory: Explains particle behavior in matter; all matter consists of small particles in constant motion that collide with each other and container walls.

Solids: Particles closely packed in a fixed arrangement; definite shape and volume; undergo melting when heated.
Melting Point: Temperature at which a solid transitions to a liquid due to increased particle energy.
Heat of Fusion: Energy required to convert a solid at its melting point into a liquid.
Liquids: Particles with more kinetic energy than solids; take the shape of their container while retaining a definite volume; flow due to sliding particle motion.
Boiling: Occurs when a liquid's vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure, leading to the formation of gas throughout the liquid.
Evaporation: Surface phenomenon where liquid turns into gas without boiling.
Vaporization: Process enabling some liquid particles to escape into the gaseous state.
Boiling Point: Temperature at which vapor pressure of the liquid equals the surrounding pressure.
Heat of Vaporization: Energy needed to convert a liquid at boiling point into gas.

Gases: Particles do not have a definite shape or volume and fill their container.
Heating Curve: Represents the transition from solid to liquid to gas; temperature remains constant during phase changes as energy is used to overcome attractions between particles.
Plasma: Matter composed of charged particles (ions and electrons) that are overall neutral but exhibit unique properties.
Kinetic Energy: Related to the speed of particles; higher kinetic energy correlates with higher temperature.
Thermal Energy: Total energy of all particles in a material, causing vibrations in their positions.