• Unit 1: Matter and Measurements

    Chemistry is the study of matter and how we can change matter chemically and physically. What is matter? Matter is everything around us that has mass and volume. Matter can be any phase - solid, liquid, or gas. In this unit, we explore the properties, phases, and how we measure matter. We review the standard units of measurement and how to report our measurements using significant figures.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • 1.1: Matter

      Matter is any substance that has volume and mass. In this section, we explore different properties of matter and the need for standard ways to describe them.

      First, let's differentiate between extensive and intensive properties. Extensive properties, such as volume and mass, rely on the amount of the substance. Intensive properties, such as density and viscosity, are independent of the amount of matter and inherent to the matter.

    • 1.2: Measurement and Notation

      We need to perform measurements when we observe properties of matter. We express these measurements in standard notations so we can communicate them consistently and easily to others. In this section, we explore how to express measurements in chemistry.

      We use a standard set of units, based on the metric system, to perform scientific measurements. Most standard units are their base units (meter) for their property. Note that the base unit for mass (kg) is the only "base" unit with a prefix.

    • Unit 1 Assessment

      • Receive a grade