Atoms, Elements & Compounds 🧪 Flashcards
(42 cards)
Elements
A substance made of atoms that all contain the same number of protons and cannot be split into anything simpler
Compounds
A pure substance made up of 2 or more elements chemically combined. Compounds cannot be separated into their elements by physical means
Mixture
A combination of 2 or more substances (elements or compounds) that are not chemically combined. Mixtures can be separated by physical methods
Atoms
The building blocks of all matter
Atoms are made of subatomic particles
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
One relative atomic mass unit is equal to
1/12th mass of a carbon-12 atom
Relative mass of subatomic particles
Proton= 1
Neutron= 1
Electron= 1/1840
The first shell can hold
2 electrons
The second shell can hold
8 shells
The third shell can hold
8-18 electrons
Isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that contain the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons
Isotopes display the same chemical properties because
They have the same number of electrons in their outer shells therefore the same electronic configuration and this is what determines an atoms chemistry
Isotopes have different physical properties because
The difference in mass affects physical properties such as density, boiling point and melting point
Heavy water refers to water made from
Deuterium oxide. It is 20% heavier and has a relative formula of 20. Not ideal to drink because it interferes with biochemical reactions in your cells
Relative Atomic Mass (RAM)
The average mass of isotopes of an element compared to 1/12th of the mass of the atom of C-12
(% of isotope * mass)+ (% of isotope * mass)/ 100
Ions
An electrically charged group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of electrons (this occurs to make the atom more stable)
Ionisation of metals
All metals can lose electrons to other atoms and become positively charged atoms called cations
Ionisation of non-metals
All non-metals can gain electrons from other atoms to become negatively charged ions called anions
Lattice structures
Formed by ionic compounds, consist of a regular arrangement of alternating positive and negative ions
Ionic compounds
Formed when metal atoms and non-metal ion react. The compound has no overall charge
Properties of ionic compounds
Usually solid at room temperature
High MP and BP
Good conductors of electricity in the molten state or in solution
Poor conductors in solid state
Ionic substances have high MP and BP because
of the presence of strong electrostatic forces acting on oppositely charged ions. These forces act ion all directions and a lot of energy is required to overcome them. The greater the charge on the ions, the stronger the electrostatic forces and the height the MP and BP will be.
Electrical current
For electrical current to flow there must be freely moving charged particles such as electrons or ions present so ionic compounds in molten form are good conductors of electricity in molten state or in solution as they have ions that can move and carry a charge. But solids have ions in a fixed position within the lattice and are unable to move
Covalent bonds
Formed when pairs of electrons are shared between non-metal atoms to gain a full outer shell giving them a noble gas configuration. These atoms are now called molecules