ChemistryThe Study of Matter

• Chemistry is the study of matter and their interactions– The substances of which physical substances

are made• The study of modern chemistry began in

the 1700’s• For thousands of years prior, alchemists

were the main students of matter and their interactions– Alchemy was a little science mixed with a lot

of philosophy and spiritualism

The Basics

Matter is classified based on its state or phaseThe 4 states/phases are:

1. Solid2. Liquid3. Gas4. Plasma

SolidParticles are:• arranged in regular, repeating

patterns• held firmly in place• are vibrating

LiquidParticles :• Flow easily around one another• Kept from flying apart by attractive

forces between them

Liquids assume the shape of their container

Gas• Particles fly around at great speeds

in all directions• Attractive forces between particles

are insignificant• Will completely fill its container

Plasma• Atoms lose their electrons at high

temperatures• A mixture of nuclei and electrons• By far the most common state of

matter in the universe

Kinetic-Molecular Theory• Describes solids, liquids and gases• All matter consists of extremely

small particles• Particles are in constant, random

motion• The higher the temperature, the

faster the particles are moving (more kinetic energy)– The ‘energy of motion’

Solids• Particles have lower kinetic energy

than liquids (move at low speeds)• Particles are close together and

restricted to specific locations• Particles are arranged with a high

degree of regularity

Liquids• Particles have a higher kinetic

energy than solids (move at faster speeds)

• Particles are close to each other but can move past one another

Gases• Particles have high kinetic energy

(move at high speeds)• Particles move freely in random,

straight-line patterns• Little interaction between particles

Plasma• Higher energy than a gas• Nuclei and electrons are moving

around separately from each other• Can be found in stars, lightning,

fluorescent lights, etc.

Pure SubstancesElements• All atoms that make up an element are

the same• They exhibit unique chemical & physical

properties• They cannot be broken down into simpler

substances• All known elements are found on the

periodic table

Compounds• Can contain two or more different

elements in a fixed proportion• Exhibit unique chemical & physical

properties• Identified with chemical formulas

– Ex. • H2O (water)• CO2 (carbon dioxide)

Mixtures• Made up of a combination of

elements and/or compounds

Solutions/Homogeneous Mixtures• the chemical & physical properties of

the substance are the same throughout– Ex. Salt water, milk, soft drinks

Heterogeneous Mixtures• Part of the substance exhibits

different chemical & physical properties than other parts– Ex.

• Chocolate chip cookies• Oil and water

Properties of Matter• Distinguishing features that let us

identify what we’re examining• All matter has 2 different kinds of

distinguishing features:1. Physical properties2. Chemical properties

Physical Properties• Can be observed without altering

chemical make-up of the substance• Original substance can be retrieved

– Ex.• Hardness• Boiling point• Color• Odor• Melting point• Solubility

Chemical Properties• Can be observed when a substance

reacts with another substance• Original substance will be ‘lost’• Done by conducting chemical tests

– Ex.• Flame test – used to determine type of metal• Lime water test – used to test for CO2

“Kinds” of Matter matter

puresubstance mixtures

compounds elements solutions heterogeneousmixtures