| A | B |
|---|
| amorphous solid | solid in which the constituent atoms or molecules are arranged in random or disordered positions |
| atom | smallest unit of an element; not divisible by ordinary chemical means |
| Becke line | bright halo observed near the border of a particle immersed in a liquid of a different refractive index |
| birefringence | difference in the two indices of refraction exhibited by most crystalline materials |
| Celsius scale | temperature scale using the melting point of ice as 0° and the boiling point of water as 100°, with 100 equal divisions or degrees between |
| chemical property | behavior of a substance when it combines with another substance |
| compound | pure substance created by combining two or more elements |
| concentric fracture | crack in glass that forms a rough circle around the point of impact |
| crystalline solid | solid in which the atoms have a regular arrangement |
| density | physical property of matter that is equivalent to the mass per unit volume |
| dispersion | separation of light into its component wavelengths |
| electromagnetic spectrum | entire range of radiation energy from the most energetic cosmic rays to the least energetic radio waves |
| element | fundamental particle of matter that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means |
| Fahrenheit scale | temperature scale using the melting point of ice as 32° and the boiling point of water as 212°, with 180 equal divisions or degrees between |
| frequency | number of waves that pass a given point per second |
| gas (vapor) | state of matter in which the attractive forces between molecules are small enough to permit them to move with complete freedom |
| intensive property | property that is not dependent on the size/amount of an object |
| extensive property | property that is dependent on the size/amount of an object |
| laminated glass | two sheets of ordinary glass bonded together with a plastic film |
| laser | acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; light that has all its waves pulsating in unison |
| liquid | state of matter in which molecules are in contact with one another but are not rigidly held in place |
| mass | constant property of matter that reflects the amount of material present |
| matter | things of substance composed of atoms or molecules |
| periodic table | chart of elements arranged in a systematic fashion |
| groups (families) | vertical rows in periodic table |
| series (period) | horizontal rows in periodic table |
| phase | uniform body of matter separated by definite visible boundaries |
| photon | small packet of electromagnetic radiation energy |
| physical property | behavior of a substance without having to alter the substance's composition |
| physical state | condition or stage in the form of matter; a solid, liquid, or gas |
| radial fracture | crack in glass that extends outward like the spoke of a wheel from the point at which the glass was struck |
| refraction | bending of a light wave as it passes from one medium to another |
| refractive index | ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a given substance |
| solid | state of matter in which the molecules are held closely together in a rigid state |
| sublimation | physical change from the solid state directly into the gaseous state |
| tempered glass | glass that is strengthened by introducing stress through rapid heating and cooling of the glass surfaces |
| visible light | colored light ranging from red to violet in the electromagnetic spectrum |
| wavelength | distance between crests of adjacent waves |
| weight | property of matter that depends on both the mass of a substance and the effects of gravity on that mass |
| X-ray | high-energy, short-wavelength form of electromagnetic radiation |
