1. Understand how the terms hypothesis, theory, and law are used in science and the differences between these terms (especially theory vs. law).
2. Know the fundamental units of measurement for length, mass, time, temperature, and amount of substance. Know the meaning of the prefixes shown in Table 1.2.
3. Be able to differentiate between mass and weight.
4. Understand how the ideas of measurement, units, and uncertainty are related. Understand how significant figures are used to help express a degree of uncertainty for any measurement.
5. Understand what is meant by accuracy and precision.
6. Know the rules for determining how many significant figures a number or measurement has. Know what is meant by an exact number and how many significant figures it has. Be able to apply the rules of significant figures when performing mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots, etc.).
7. Be able to express any number in scientific notation. Be able to use your calculator to input and read scientific notation.
8. Be able to perform unit conversions by dimensional analysis.
9. Be familiar with what is stated in the Laws of Conservation of Matter and Conservation of Energy.
10. Be able to convert between Celsius and Kelvin temperatures and between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures. (Note: you must memorize the Celsius/Kelvin conversion equation, but the Celsius/Fahrenheit conversion equations will be provided.)
11. Be able to calculate density and specific gravity. Be able to use density and mass to find volume or density and volume to find mass.
12. Know the three states of matter.
13. Be able to differentiate between mixtures and pure substances, elements and compounds, heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures.
14. Be able to differentiate between chemical and physical properties, extensive and intensive properties, chemical and physical changes.
15. Be familiar with the concepts symbolized in Figure 1.16: The organization of matter.