Chemistry Chapter 2 Vocab

Scientific Method

A Logical, systematic approach to solving problems through observation

System

a specific portion of matter in a given region of space that has been selected for study during an experiment or observation

Hypothesis

a testable prediction

model

an explanation of how phenomena occur and how data or events are related

Theory

a broad generalization that explains a body of facts or phenomena

quantity

something that has magnitude, size, or amount

SI system

International System of units based on the metric system and units derived from the metric system

Weight

A measure of the force of gravity on an object

Derived Units

combinations of SI base units

Volume

The amount of space an object takes up

Density

the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance

conversion factor

a ratio derived from the equality between two different units that can be used to convert from one unit to the other

dimensional analysis

a mathematical technique that allows you to use units to solve problems involving measurements

Accuracy

A description of how close a measurement is to the true value of the quantity measured.

Precision

a measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another

significant figures

All the digits that can be known precisely in a measurement, plus a last estimated digit

scientific notation

A method of writing or displaying numbers in terms of a decimal number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of 10.

directly proportional

the relationship between two variables whose ratio is a constant value

inversely proportional

A term used to describe the relationship between two variables whose product is constant.