Chemistry – Basic
Notes
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of
matter, its properties,
composition, and
changes it undergoes.
Matter
●Matter is anything that
has mass and occupies
space.
●States of matter:
○Solid – fixed shape
and volume
○Liquid – fixed
volume, no fixed
shape
○Gas – no fixed
shape or volume
Particles of Matter
●Matter is made of tiny
particles.
●Particles are in
constant motion.
●There are spaces
between particles.
Elements, Compounds,
and Mixtures
●Element – pure
substance made of one
type of atom
●Compound –
substance made of two
or more elements
chemically combined
●Mixture – two or more
substances physically
mixed
Atom
●An atom is the
smallest particle of an
element.
●Parts of an atom:
○Proton – positive
charge
○Neutron – no charge
○Electron – negative
charge
Periodic Table
●Elements are arranged
in the periodic table.
●Groups – vertical
columns
●Periods – horizontal
rows
●Elements in the same
group have similar
properties.
Chemical Reactions
●A chemical reaction
forms new substances.
●Reactants –
substances that react
●Products –
substances formed
Signs of a Chemical
Reaction
●Colour change
●Gas produced
●Temperature change
●Formation of a
precipitate
Acids, Bases, and Salts
●Acids produce
hydrogen ions (H⁺) in
water
●Bases produce
hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in
water
●Salts are formed when
acids react with bases
pH Scale
●pH measures acidity or
alkalinity.
●pH < 7 – acidic
●pH = 7 – neutral
●pH > 7 – alkaline
Metals and Non-metals
●Metals – good
conductors, malleable,
shiny
●Non-metals – poor
conductors, brittle (if
solid)
Separation Techniques
●Filtration
●Evaporation
●Distillation
●Chromatography
Rusting
●Rusting is the
corrosion of iron.
●Conditions needed:
○Oxygen
○Water
Fuels
●Fuels release energy
when burned.
●Examples: coal, petrol,
natural gas