Mixture - A physical combination of two or more substances that are blended
together without forming new substances. The combined substances retain their
individual properties and can usually be separated fairly easily.
Solution - A mixture of substances that are blended so completely that the
mixture looks the same everywhere.
Solute - A substance that is dissolved by another substance to form a solution.
Solvent - A substance that dissolves one or more other substances to form a
solution.
Saturation – Dissolving a substance in a solvent until the solvent can absorb no
more. For example, we did this when we dissolved salt to create salt crystals
during our rocks and minerals study.
Chemical change - A change of matter that occurs when atoms link together in a
new way, creating a new substance different from the original substances.
Generally speaking, you CANNOT reverse a chemical change. Examples of
chemical change include, cooking, tarnishing, rotting, burning, rusting, and
digesting. Nothing is ever lost and nothing is ever gained in a chemical reaction.
Exothermic – A chemical reaction that gives off heat. Indications of an
exothermic reaction would include seeing fire, flames, feeling heat, or even a
slight temperature increase.
Endothermic – A chemical reaction that absorbs energy/heat. Indications of an
endothermic reaction could be feeling cool or even cold.
Conservation of Matter – a basic law of science that says that matter can never
be created or destroyed, only changed in form.
Acid – A substance that tastes sour and turns blue litmus paper red.
Base – A substance that tastes bitter and turns red litmus paper blue.
Neutral – A substance that is neither an acid or a base. An example is water.
Acidity – The strength of an acid.
Alkalinity – The strength of a base.