Matter Vocabulary

Word Definition Image

atom the basic unit of a chemical element

element substance whose atoms all have the

same number of protons

constraint something that imposes a limit or

restriction or that prevents something
from occurring

criteria a principle or standard by which

something may be judged or decided
atomic mass the mass of an atom of a chemical
element expressed in atomic mass units

Periodic table a table of the chemical elements arranged

in order of atomic number

Chemical symbol notation of one or two letters representing

a chemical element

molecule a group of atoms bonded together,

representing the smallest fundamental
unit of a chemical compound that can
take part in a chemical reaction

Chemical bond Interactions that account for the 

association of atoms into molecules
model A synthetic coordination entity that closely
approaches the properties of a metal ion
in a protein and yields useful information
concerning biological structure and
function

chemical The spatial arrangement of atoms in a

structure molecule, as well as the number, type
and location of chemical bonds between
atoms

atomic This structure determines the chemical

composition and physical properties of matter

crystal solid composed of atoms, ions, or

molecules arranged in a pattern that is
periodic in three dimensions
extended many of the same element or 
structure compound organize themselves in a 
specific pattern

polymer a large molecule made up of chains or 

rings of linked repeating subunits

macroscopic large enough to be observed by the 

naked eye 

substance a ​matter which has a specific 

composition and specific properties
property a property or characteristic of a substance
that is observed during a reaction in
which the chemical composition or
identity of the substance is changed

mass Mass is a measure of the amount of

matter in an object

density A ​defined as the ratio between mass and

volume or mass per unit volume

solubility a chemical property referring to the ability

for a given substance, the solute, to
dissolve in a solvent

state of matter one of the ways in which ​matter​ can

interact with itself to form a homogeneous
phase

solid firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid

liquid a substance that flows freely but is of
constant volume, having a consistency
like that of water or oil

gas a substance or matter in a state in which

it will expand freely to fill the whole of a
container, having no fixed shape and no
fixed volume

boiling point the temperature at which a liquid boils

and turns to vapor

melting point the temperature at which a given solid will

melt

pressure continuous physical force exerted on or

against an object by something in contact
with it

temperature the degree or intensity of heat present in

a substance or object, especially as
expressed according to a comparative
scale and shown by a thermometer or
perceived by touch
Thermal energy energy that comes from heat, this 
heat is generated by the movement of 
tiny particles within an object

heat the quality of being hot; high temperature

sublime c​hange directly into vapor when heated, 

typically forming a solid deposit again on 
cooling

evaporate turn from liquid into vapor

deposit the geological process in which 

sediments, soil and rocks are added 
to a landform or land mass
condense change or cause to change from a gas or 
vapor to a liquid

product a substance produced during a natural, 

chemical, or manufacturing process

reactant a substance that takes part in and 

undergoes change during a 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 evidence which serves to either support

evidence or counter a scientific theory or
hypothesis
Clinical trial research investigations in which people
volunteer to test new treatments,
interventions or tests as a means to
prevent, detect, treat or manage various
diseases or medical conditions

Chemical the symbolic representation of a

equation 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 a statement based on repeated

experimental observations that describes
some aspect of the world

Law of a general statement that explains a large

conservation of number of observations
matter

exothermic a chemical reaction in which heat is

reaction produced

endothermic a chemical reaction accompanied by the

reaction absorption of heat

prototype an archetype; a primitive form regarded

as the basis of a group
synthetic artificial material​, not natural items
material

natural materials or substances such as 

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

food additive a substance added to food to enhance its 

flavor or appearance or to preserve it

biodegradable capable of being decomposed by bacteria 

or other living organisms