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TOPIC #1: States of Matter

Matter = any substance that has mass and takes up space

Solid = a state of matter that has definite shape and definite volume

Liquid = a state of matter that has indenfinite shape (will take the shape of a container) and definite volume

Gas = a state of matter that has indefinite shape and indefinite volume (can expand to fill more space)

SOLID
LIQUID
GAS

Click HERE to see animations of the particle movement in the three above states of matter

Plasma = the fourth state of matter which has similar properties to gases; very rare (found in space)

Particle Theory = a theory developed by Democritus that every substance can be broken down into particles
1) All matter is composed of TINY particles
2) There are forces of ATTRACTION between the particles.
3) The particles in a PURE substances are the SAME; the particles in an mixture are different
4) The particles are always MOVING.
5) There are SPACES between the particles.

Click HERE for more information on particle movement in different states of matter.

Click HERE to see a memory trick for the five points of the Particle Theory.


TOPIC #2: Classifying Substances

Pure Substances = substances that are made up of only one type of particle (e.g. water, gold)

Mixtures = substances that are made up of more than one type of particle (e.g. granola, jello)

Homogenous Mixture = a mixture that appears as though it is made up of the same particle (e.g. jello)

Solution = another word for homogeneous mixture

Heterogeneous Mixture = a mixture of particles in which two different substances are visible (e.g. granola)

Mechanical Mixture = another word for heterogeneous mixture


Alloy = a solid solution made up of two or more metals melted together (e.g. bronze, steel, brass)


TOPIC #3: Separating Mixtures

Chromatography = method of separating substances dissolved in a liquid based on particle size (e.g. separating pigments from ink)

Magnetism = method of separating metal objects from non-metal objects (e.g. finding keys on a beach)

Distillation = method of separating substances from a mixture based on the substances boiling points (e.g. distilling alcohol)

Crystallization = method of separating liquid substances so that one of the particles group to form a solid (e.g. removing salt from seawater)

Filtration = method of separating different-sized particles by passing them through the pores of a filter (e.g. making coffee)

Sifting = method of separating different-sized substances from each other by passing them through a straining device (e.g. removing chunks from a baking mixture)

Desalination = process used to separate salt from a liquid solution (e.g. seawater)


TOPIC #4: Dissolving and Solubility

Solute = the suubstance that is dissolved in a solvent (e.g. juice crystals)

Solvent = the substance that the solute is dissolved in (e.g. water)

Solution = created when a solute is dissolved in a solvent (e.g. juice)

Unsaturated = a solution in which more solute can still be dissolved in, no residue is visible

Saturated = a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved in, no residue is visible

Supersaturated = a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved in, residue is visible

Dissolving = the process in which one substance appears to disappear in another substance

Soluble = the ability for a substance to dissolve in a solvent (e.g. sugar is soluble in water)

Insoluble = the inability for a substance to dissolve in a solvent (e.g oil is insoluble in water)

Rate of Dissolving = the speed at which a solute dissolves in a solvent