Acid

Substance that when dissolved in water is capable of reacting with a base to form salts and release hydrogen ions. 

Base

Substance that when dissolved in water is capable of reacting with an acid to form salts and release hydrogen ions. 

Chemical change

The change of one or more substances into other substances.

Chemical  property

A characteristic of a substance that allows it to undergo a chemical change. Chemical properties include flammability and sensitivity to light. 

Chemical reaction

Any chemical change in which at least one new substance is formed. 

Control experiment

A set-up that is identical to the experiment but is not affected by the variable that affects the experimental group. 

Decompose

To break down into two or more simpler substances. 

Decomposition reaction

A chemical reaction in which one substance is broken down into two or more substances. 

Endothermic reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs heat or light energy, such as  photosynthesis, the production of food by plant cells. 

Exothermic reaction

A chemical reaction that releases heat or light energy, such as the burning of fuel. 

Hypothesis

An idea phrased in the form of a statement that can be tested by observation and/or experiment. 

Luminescent

Producing light through a chemical process. 

Physical change

A change in which the substance keeps its molecular identity, such as a piece of chalk that has been ground up. 

Physical property

A characteristic that you can detect with your senses, such as color and shape. 

Product

A compound that is formed as a result of a chemical reaction. 

Reactant

A compound present at the beginning of a chemical reaction. 

Synthesis reaction

A chemical reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a new substance. 

Variable

Something that can change the results of an experiment. 

Nelson, M. R. (2010). Chemical Properties. In K. Krapp (Ed.), Experiment Central: Understanding Scientific Principles Through Projects (2nd ed.). Detroit, MI: UXL. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2644200006/SCIC?u=61wa_corpus&sid=SCIC&xid=fcb5e173

How many ways can you describe a substance? Two common ways are by listing its physical properties and its chemical properties. A physical property is a characteristic of a substance that you can detect with your senses, such as its color, shape, size, smell, taste, texture, temperature, density, or volume. For example, a lemon is yellow, oval-shaped, and smaller than a grapefruit. It has a sharp smell and a rough texture.

Nelson, M. R. (2010). Chemical Properties. In K. Krapp (Ed.), Experiment Central: Understanding Scientific Principles Through Projects (2nd ed.). Detroit: UXL. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2644200006/SCIC?u=61wa_corpus&sid=SCIC&xid=fcb5e173