Physical Science - Chapter 2 Vocab

Front 1

Matter

Back 1

One of the fundamental concepts of creation. Anything that occupies space and has mass. This is an operational definition - a statement of conditions that something must meet in order to be considered matter. We cannot define matter in simpler terms.

Front 2

Brownian Motion

Back 2

The microscopic, random jostling of suspended matter due to the collisions of innumerable gas or liquid particles in which the matter is suspended.

Front 3

Kinetic-molecular theory

Back 3

The concept that tiny particles in constant, random motion make up all matter.

Front 4

pure substance

Back 4

A substance that contains only a single element or compound.

Front 5

mixture

Back 5

A non chemical combination of two or more substances.

Front 6

state

Back 6

A physical form of matter determined by the arrangement and energy of its particles. The three most common states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.

Front 7

solid

Back 7

The state of a substance in which its particles occupy fixed positions. A solid is rigid, or nearly so, and has a definite volume and shape, and low compressibility.

Front 8

liquid

Back 8

The state of a substance in which its particles are close together but mobile. A liquid has a definite volume but no fixed shape. It has low compressibility, can flow, and has a free surface in a less-than-full container.

Front 9

gas

Back 9

The state of a substance in which its particles are far apart and have large kinetic energies. A gas has no fixed volume or share, is highly compressible and is able to flow.

Front 10

melting

Back 10

The change of state from a solid to a liquid that occurs when a substance's temperature rises to its melting point.

Front 11

freezing

Back 11

The change of state from a liquid to a solid that usually occurs when a substance cools to its freezing point.

Front 12

vaporization

Back 12

Any process in which particles of a liquid enter the gaseous phase.

Front 13

boiling

Back 13

Rapid vaporization that occurs when a liquid's vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure and the static pressure in the liquid, causing it to form vapor bubbles. Boiling may occur anywhere in the liquid.

Front 14

evaporation

Back 14

Relatively slow vaporization that occurs when a liquid's temperature is below its boiling point but above its freezing point. Evaporation occurs only at the surface of the liquid.

Front 15

sublimation

Back 15

The change of state directly from a solid to a vapor, bypassing the liquid state, at temperatures below the melting point of the substance.

Front 16

condensation

Back 16

The change from a vapor to the liquid state when the vapor cools below its dew point temperature.

Front 17

deposition

Back 17

The change of state of vapor directly to a solid, bypassing the liquid state. This occurs when the vapor is in contact with a surface whose temperature is below its freezing point.