Basic Chemistry Flashcards
Students will learn the basic vocabulary necessary to begin and understand the information contained on the Periodic Table.
Matter
anything that occupies space and has mass
Energy
the ability to do work
Kinetic energy
energy of motion
Potential energy
stored energy
Chemical energy
energy form stored in chemical bonds
Electrical energy
energy form resulting from the movement of charged particles
Mechanical energy
energy form directly involved in putting matter into motion
Radiant energy
energy of the electromagnetic spectrum which includes heat, light, ultraviolet waves, infrared waves, and other forms
Elements
any of the building blocks of matter; oxygen, hydrogen, carbon for example
Periodic table
The table which contains all the known elements arranged by their atomic number
Atom
the smallest part of an element; indivisible by ordinary chemical means
Atomic symbol
a one- or two-letter symbol indicating a particular element
Protons
subatomic particle that bears a positive charge; located in the atomic nucleus
Neutrons
uncharged subatomic particle; found in the atomic nucleus
Electrons
negatively charged subatomic particle; orbits the atomic nucleus
Planetary model
portrays the atom as a miniature solar system
Orbital model
depicts the general location of electrons outside the nucleus as a haze of negative charge referred to as the electron cloud
Atomic number
the number of protons in an atom
Atomic mass number
the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
Atomic weight
average of the mass numbers of all of the isotopes of an element
Isotopes
different atomic form of the same element; vary only in the number of neutrons they contain
Radioisotopes
isotope that exhibits radioactive behavior
Radioactivity
the process of spontaneous decay seen in some of the heavier isotopes, during which particles or energy are emitted from the atomic nucleus; results in the atom becoming more stable.
Molecules
particle consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
