Matter- is anything that has mass and takes up space.
Chemistry- the study of matter and how matter changes.
Physical Property- a characteristic of a substance that can be observed without changing the substance into another substance. EX: The temperature at which a solid melts is a physical property. (temperature, color, hardness, conducts heat, dissolves in water)
Chemical Property- a characteristic of a substance that describes its ability to change into other substances. EX: When magnesium burns, it combines with oxygen in the air, forming a new substance called magnesium oxide. (burning, tarnishing, rusting)
Physical Change- a change that alters the form or appearance of a substance but that does not make substance into another substance (change of state - solid, liquid, gas)(bending, crushing, breaking, cutting)(braiding hair)
Chemical Change- occur when bonds break and new bonds form (burning of gasoline in a car engine)
Chemical Reaction- a change in matter that produces one or more new substances and a change in energy
Precipitate- A solid that forms from solution during a chemical reaction.
Endothermic Reaction- a reaction in which energy is absorbed. (fry an egg)
Exothermic Reaction- a reaction in which energy is released (fuel in an airplane - heat - force)
Chemical Equation- a short easy way to show a chemical reaction, using symbols instead of words.
Reactants- the substances you have in the beginning.
Products- the new substance you have at the end.
Conservation of Mass- during a chemical reaction, matter is not created or destroyed. All the atoms present at the start are present at the end.
Open System- matter can enter from or escape to the surroundings (burning match)
Closed System- matter is not allowed to enter or leave (chemical reaction inside a sealed plastic bag)
Coefficient- a number placed in front of a chemical formula in an equation.
Synthesis- when two or more elements or compounds combine to make a more complex substance.
Decomposition- Breaks down compounds into simpler products.
Replacement- When one element replaces another in a compound, or when two elements in different compounds trade places.
Activation Energy- The minimum amount of energy needed to start a chemical reaction
Catalyst- A material that increases the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy.
Enzymes- Biological catalysts
Inhibitor- A material used to decrease the rate of a reaction.
Combustion- a rapid reaction between oxygen and a substance called a fuel.

Key Concepts:
1 - Observing Chemical Change
  • Matter can be described in terms of two kinds of properties- physical properties and chemical properties. Changes in matter can be described in terms of physical changes and chemical changes.
  • Chemical changes occur when bonds break and new bonds form.
  • Chemical reactions involve two main kinds of changes that you can observe- formation of new substances and changes in energy. (observe changes in the property - color change, solid may appears, a gas may be produced, moist bread)
  • Energy changes in chemical reactions

2 - Describing Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical equations use chemical formulas and other symbols instead of words to summarize a reaction.
  • The principle of conservation of mass states that, in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reactants must equal the total mass of the products.
  • To describe a reaction accurately, a chemical equation must show the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
  • Many chemical reactions can be classified in one of three categories: synthesis, decomposition, or replacement.
3 - Controlling Cheming Reactions
  • All chemical reactions need a certain amount of activation energy to get started.
  • Chemists can control rates of reactions by changing factors such as surface area, temperature, and concentration, and by using substances called catalysts and inhibitors.
4 - Fire and Fire Safey
  • The following three things are necessary to start and maintain a fire: fuel, oxygen, and heat.
  • If you know how to prevent fires in you home and what to do if a fire starts, you are better prepared to take action.