Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Physical Chemistry

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Physical Chemistry 1. Accuracy vs. Precision These two terms often go hand in hand, but they have distinct meanings. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value, while precision refers to how close multiple measurements are to each other. In simpler terms, accuracy is about correctness, and precision is about consistency. 2. Endothermic vs. Exothermic When it comes to energy changes in chemical reactions, these words are frequently used. Endothermic reactions absorb heat from their surroundings, making them feel cold. On the other hand, exothermic reactions release heat, often resulting in a temperature increase. A simple way to remember: 'endo' means 'inside,' so endothermic reactions take heat inside, while 'exo' means 'outside,' so exothermic reactions release heat outside. 3. Isotope vs. Ion Both terms involve atoms, but they represent different scenarios. Isotopes are variants of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. They have the same chemical properties but differ in atomic mass. Ions, on the other hand, are charged atoms or molecules. They can be positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions) due to the gain or loss of electrons.