Matter Vocabulary

Word Definition Image

atom 1. the smallest component of

an element having the
chemical properties of the
element, consisting of a
nucleus containing
combinations of neutrons
and protons and one or
more electrons bound to ​the
nucleus by electrical
attraction; the number of
protons determines the
identity of the element.

element a component or ​constituent ​of a

whole or one of the parts into
which a whole may be resolved
by analysis:

constraint limitation or ​restriction.

criteria a standard of judgment or

criticism; a rule or ​principle ​for
evaluating or testing
something.
atomic mass the mass of an isotope of an
element measured in units
formerly ​based ​on the mass of
one hydrogen atom taken as a
unit or on 1/16 (0.0625) the mass
of one oxygen atom, but after
1961 based on 1/12 (0.0833) the
mass of the carbon-12 atom.
Abbreviation ​: at. m.
Periodic table a table illustrating the periodic
system, in which the chemical
elements, formerly arranged in
the order of ​their ​atomic
weights and now according to
their atomic numbers, are
shown in related groups.

Chemical symbol In relation to the ​chemical​ elements, a 

symbol​ is a code for a ​chemical 
element

molecule the smallest physical unit of an

element or compound, consisting
of one or more like atoms in an
element and two or more different
atoms in a compound.
chemical bond A chemical bond is a lasting 
attraction between atoms, ions 
or molecules that enables the 
formation of chemical 
compounds.

model a representation, generally in

miniature, to show the
construction or appearance of
something.

chemical The arrangement of c

​ hemical​ bonds 
structure between atoms in a molecule 

atomic Composition​ of the A​ tom​. The ​atom 

composition consists of a tiny nucleus surrounded 
by moving electrons. 

crystal a clear, transparent mineral or

glass ​resembling ​ice.
extended atoms form molecules that range in 
structure size from two to thousands of atoms. 
( MS-PS1-1) Solids may be formed 
from molecules, or they may be 
extended structures w ​ ith repeating 
subunits (e.g., crystals).

polymer a compound of high molecular

weight derived either by the
addition of many smaller
molecules, as polyethylene, or by
the ​condensation of many smaller
molecules with the elimination of
water,alcohol, or the like, as
nylon.
macroscopic visible ​to the naked eye

substance hat of which a thing consists;

physical matter or ​material:
property an essential or distinctive attribute
or quality of a ​thing:

mass a body of coherent matter, usually

of indefinite shape and often of
considerable size:

density mass per ​unit ​volume.

solubility
the quality or property of ​being
soluble​; relative capability of
being dissolved.
state of matter One of the four principal
conditions in which matter
exists-solid, liquid, gas, and
plasma. See also phase phase
transition ​.

solid a solid substance or ​body; ​a

substance exhibiting rigidity.

liquid composed of molecules that

move freely among themselves
but do not tend to separate like
those of gases; neither ​gaseous
nor solid.

gas a substance possessing perfect

molecular mobility and the
property of indefinite expansion,
as opposed to a solid or liquid.

boiling point the temperature at which the

vapor pressure of a liquid is equal
to the pressure of the atmosphere
on the liquid, equal to 212°F
(100°C) for water at sea level.
melting point the temperature at which a solid
substance ​melts ​or fuses.

pressure force per ​unit ​area.

temperature a measure of the warmth or

coldness of an object or
substance with ​reference ​to some
standard value. The temperature
of two systems is the same when
the systems are in thermal
equilibrium.

Thermal energy Thermal energy​ is the ​energy​ that 

comes from h ​ eat​. This ​heat​ is 
generated by the movement of tiny 
particles within an object.

heat the state of a body perceived as

having or generating a relatively
high ​degree ​of warmth.
sublime 1. to convert (a solid
substance) ​by heat into a
vapor, which on cooling
condenses again to solid
form, without apparent
liquefaction.

evaporate to change from a liquid or solid

state into ​vapor​; pass off in vapor.

deposit anything ​laid ​away or entrusted to

another for safekeeping

condense to make more dense or compact;

reduce the volume or extent of;
concentrate.
product a substance obtained from
another substance through
chemical ​change.

reactant any ​substance ​that undergoes

a chemical change in a given
reaction​.

chemical a process that involves rearrangement of 

reaction the molecular or ionic structure of a 
substance, as opposed to a change in 
physical form or a nuclear reaction.

Scientific Scientific evidence​ is e

​ vidence​ which 
evidence serves to either support or counter a 
scientific​ theory or hypothesis. 

Clinical trial Clinical trials are experiments or 

observations done in clinical research. 

Chemical A chemical equation is the symbolic 

equation representation of a chemical reaction in 
the form of symbols and formulae, 
wherein the reactant entities are given on 
the left-hand side and the product entities 
on the right-hand side.
Scientific law The laws of science, also called scientific 
laws or scientific principles, are 
statements that describe or predict a 
range of natural phenomena. Each 
scientific law is a statement based on 
repeated experimental observations that 
describes some aspect of the Universe.

Law of The ​law of conservation​ of mass or 

conservation of principle of mass ​conservation​ states 
matter that for any system closed to all 
transfers of m
​ atter​ and energy, the 
mass of the system must remain 
constant over time, as system's mass 
cannot change, so quantity cannot be 
added or removed

exothermic An exothermic reaction is a chemical 

reaction reaction that releases energy through 
light or heat. 

endothermic An endothermic process is any process 

reaction which requires or absorbs energy from its 
surroundings, usually in the form of heat.

prototype a first, typical or preliminary model of 

something, especially a machine, from 
which other forms are developed or 
copied.
synthetic Synthetic fibers are made from 
material synthesized polymers of small molecules. 
The compounds that are used to make 
these fibers come from r​ aw​ materials 
such as petroleum based chemicals or 
petrochemicals. These materials are 
polymerized​ into a long, linear chemical 
that bond two adjacent carbon atoms.

natural materials or substances such as minerals,

resource forests, water, and fertile land that occur
in nature and can be used for economic
gain.

food additive Food additives are substances added to 

food to preserve flavor or enhance its 
taste, appearance, or other qualities.

biodegradable capable of being decomposed by bacteria 

or other living organisms.