Basic Properties and Terminology

There are a number of important terms that should be committed to memory. These 

Physical State at 20°C — the physical nature of the chemical (solid, liquid, or gas) at 20°C (i.e., room temperature). Changing the temperature may alter the physical state, depending on the magnitude and direction of the change relative to the melting and boiling points of the chemical. 

Boiling Point (BP) — the temperature at which a liquid changes to gas under standard atmospheric pressure (760 mm mercury). The BP of water is 100°C, while the BPs of ethyl alcohol and n-hexane are 78.4°C and 68.7°C, respectively. Lowering the atmospheric pressure (e.g., by applying a vacuum) will lower the BP conversely, higher pressures result in elevated boiling points. 

Melting Point (MP) — the temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid. The melting point is not particularly sensitive to atmospheric pressure, but it is responsive to dissolved salts which depress the melting point. Thus, in winter, it is usual to salt sidewalks to keep water from freezing. 

Vapor Density (VD) — the mass per unit volume of a given vapor/gas relative to that of air. Thus, acetaldehyde with a vapor density of 1.5 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spots, while acetylene with a vapor density of 0.9 is lighter than air and will rise and disperse. Heavy vapors present a particular hazard because of the way they accumulate if toxic they may poison workers if nontoxic they may displace air and cause suffocation by oxygen deficiency if flammable, once presented with an ignition source, they represent a fire or explosion hazard. Gases heavier than air include carbon dioxide, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide. 

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