3a. Chemistry - Elements, Atoms Flashcards
What is an atom?
Small particles that make up matter
like Lego bricks
What makes up an atom?
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
What is an element?
A substance made up of just one type of atom
It can’t be split up into simpler substances
What is a molecule?
Two or more atoms bonded together
Not visible to humans
Examples of molecules
Oxygen (O2)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Nitrogen (N2)
What is a compound?
Two or more different elements bonded together
Visible to humans
Examples of compounds
Table salt (NaCl)
Vinegar (C2H4O2)
Methane (CH4)
How many different elements are normally present in the human body?
26
What are the 4 major elements found in the human body?
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
What percentage of the human body is made up of the 4 major elements?
96%
Chemical symbol: Hydrogen
H
Chemical symbol: Sodium
Na
Chemical symbol: Magnesium
Mg
Chemical symbol: Calcium
Ca
Chemical symbol: Vanadium
V
Chemical symbol: Chronium
Cr
Chemical symbol: Manganese
Mn
Chemical symbol: Iron
Fe
Chemical symbol: Cobalt
Co
Chemical symbol: Nickel
Ni
Chemical symbol: Copper
Cu
Chemical symbol: Zinc
Zn
Chemical symbol: Molybdenum
Mo
Chemical symbol: Mercury
Hg
Chemical symbol: Boron
B
Chemical symbol: Carbon
C
Chemical symbol: Nitrogen
N
Chemical symbol: Oxygen
O
Chemical symbol: Fluorine
F
Chemical symbol: Aluminium
Al
Chemical symbol: Silicon
Si
Chemical symbol: Phosphorus
P
Chemical symbol: Sulfur
S
Chemical symbol: Chlorine
Cl
Chemical symbol: Selenium
Se
Chemical symbol: Iodine
I
Proton: charge and weight
Positive
1 atomic unit
Neutron: charge and weight
No charge
1 atomic unit
Electron: charge and weight
Negative
No weight
Structure of an atom
Nucleus - made up of equal protons and neutrons Electron shell(s) - made up of electrons
How do electrons arrange themselves in the electron shell?
Pairs
2-8-8
What makes an atom reactive?
If the outer electron shell isn’t full or if it loses an electron
Atom analogy
Each proton is an adult with one child (electron)
Each neutron is an adult with no children
The adults hang out together in the nucleus and make up the mass of the family
The children whizz around the adults not weighing anything
Each proton has a positive charge
Each electron has a negative charge
These opposites attract each other and keep the family together
Periodic table example
19 (atomic number)
K (element symbol)
Potassium (element name)
39.0983 (atomic mass)
What is the atomic number of an element?
The number of protons
What is the mass number of an element?
Number of protons + number of neutrons
How can you calculate the number of neutrons in an element?
Atomic mass - atomic number
What element is required for thyroid health?
Iodine
Why are fluoride and chlorine relevant in thyroid health?
They share similar chemical and physical properties to iodine (same column on periodic table)
If they are present in the body, they can prevent the formation of T3 and T4
Where can we find fluoride?
Tap water
Toothpaste
Mouthwashes
Where can we find chlorine?
Swimming pools
Chlorinated washed vegetables
What is an isotope?
Atoms of the same element which have different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus
What affect does an isotope have on an element?
Changes the mass
Doesn’t affect the chemical activity though
What does a massive imbalance of protons and neutrons create?
Makes the atom very unstable
What does an imbalanced isotope cause?
Radioactivity
Examples of isotopes in medicine
Radiotherapy
Breath test for H. pylori
How does the breath test for H. pylori work?
Breath test 1
Take urea - labelled as radioactive carbon-14 or non-radioactive carbon-13
Wait 10-30 mins
Breath test 2
If urease is present (enzyme that H. pylori uses to metabolise urea), there will be a higher amount of CO2 in 2nd breath test
What does H+ mean?
It’s a hydrogen ion
It’s a proton as the electron has become separated from the outer shell
Why does hydrogen easily react with other atoms?
Because H has only one electron in its outer shell, it will often go looking for another atom that needs one electron to fill its shell
What are inert elements?
Elements that don’t easily react as they have their outer shell filled with the perfect number
They rarely get involved in chemical reactions
Why do atoms try to bond?
To get the right number of electrons in their outer shell so they can become more stable
What are the two types of bonding?
Ionic bonding
Covalent bonding