Basic Chemistry Study Guide

Summary:

Chemistry, derived from Medieval Latin “Alchimia” and Arabic “Alkimya,” is the study of matter’s composition, structure, and changes. It is often called central science because it underpins other physical and biological sciences. Atoms, the building blocks of matter, consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Democritus first introduced the concept of atoms, while Dalton’s Atomic Theory further explained their properties and behaviour. Matter can be classified as elements, compounds, and mixtures, while non-matter does not occupy space or have mass. Elements are substances made up of only one type of atom and cannot be decomposed. Compounds are formed when elements chemically combine in fixed proportions, and mixtures are substances combined without chemical bonding. Matter exists in various states, including solid, liquid, gas, plasma, and Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC). Density and specific gravity are essential properties of matter. Physical changes involve alterations in size, shape, or state without changing the chemical composition, while chemical changes alter the chemical composition. Chemical reactions can be classified as synthesis, decomposition, double decomposition, substitution and displacement.

Excerpt:

Basic Chemistry Study Guide

CHEMISTRY
 Medieval Latin “Alchimia”/ Arabic “Alkimya”, the chemistry
 The study of the composition and structure of the changes in matter
 It is often called central science because knowledge in this field is a prerequisite for all the other physical and biological sciences.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATOMIC STRUCTURE ATOM
 It is the smallest possible unit into which matter can be divided while still maintaining its properties
 Building blocks of matter
 It has protons (+), neutrons (0), and electons (-)

1. Democritus was a Greek philosopher who first introduced the concept of atoms. He believed that matter is comprised of tiny indivisible particles known as atoms.
2. Dalton’s Atomic Theory
   a. All matter is made up of indivisible particles known as atoms.
   b. All atoms of the same elements are alike.
   c. Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in certain proportions.
   d. atoms are only rearranged but neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions.
3. Law of Definite Proportion – a given compound always contains the same elements in exactly the same proportion by mass.