C2 Flashcards
What is a compound?
When two or more elements are chemically bonded combined together. This makes it very hard to separate out again.
What is a mixture?
When two or more substances are mixed together and can be easily separated.
What are isotopes?
Different atomic forms of the same element, which have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. (they have the same atomic number but different mass numbers).
How can the element Carbon-14 be used?
C-14 is unstable. When things die, the C-14 is trapped inside the dead material and gradually decays into nitrogen. By measuring the proportion of C-14 in some old wood you can calculate how long ago it was alive.
What is ionic bonding?
When atoms lose or gain electrons to form charged particles, called ions, which are strongly attracted to each other (because of the attraction of opposite charges).
What happens when an atom loses electrons?
The atom becomes positively charged.
How does an atom lose an electron?
- Atoms on the left hand side of the periodic table have only one or two electrons in their outer shells.
- Therefore, it is easier for them to lose an electron and give it to another atom.
What happens when an atom gains electrons?
The atom becomes negatively charged.
How does an atom gain electrons?
- The elements in Group 6 and 7 have nearly full outer shells.
- Therefore, it is easier for them to take an electron from another element.
What structure does an ionic bond produce and why?
They form giant ionic structures because of the strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely charged ions.
What are the properties of an ionic compound?
- They all have high melting points.
- They all have a high boiling points
- They all dissolve easily in water
Why do ionic compounds have high boiling and melting points?
Because of the strong forces of attraction between the ions.
What happens when an ionic bond does melt?
The ions become free to move and they will be able to carry an electrical current.
What happens when an ionic bond dissolves in water?
The ions separate and are free to move in the solution. They will be able to carry an electrical current as well.
What are the properties of an ion?
- They have the electronic structure of a noble gas
- The charge of the positive ions are the same as the group number they are in
- Only elements on the opposite sides of the periodic table will form ionic compounds
Which groups of elements are most likely to form ions?
Groups 1, 2, 6 and 7
Which groups are metals?
Groups 1 and 2 (lose electrons and become positive)
Which groups are non-metals?
Groups 6 and 7 (gain electrons and become negative)
What should you remember when working out the formula of an ionic compound?
- The overall charge of any compound is 0
What is covalent bonding?
When atoms share electrons and both atoms end up with a full outer shell. This gives them the electronic structure of a noble gas.
What is a noble gas?
They are chemically unreactive gases and are found in Group 0 in the periodic table
How are covalent bonds shown?
With line between the two atoms
E.g. H-H
What do the atoms form during the process of covalent bonding?
The atoms form strong covalent bonds that form small molecules of several atoms
What are the forces of attraction like between the small molecules?
They are very weak
What happens during covalent bonding?
The atoms form very strong covalent bonds to either form simple molecular substances or giant molecular substances
What are the forces of attraction like between the small molecules in a simple molecular substance?
They are very weak
Why are the melting points and boiling points low in simple molecular substances?
The forces of attraction are very weak so the molecules are easily parted. (the inter-molecular forces get broken down, not the covalent bond itself)
What state are simple molecular substances in at room temperature?
Most are either gases or liquids but they can be solids
Do the simple molecular substances conduct electricity? Why?
They do not because there are no ions so there is no electrical charge.
What are giant covalent structures?
Macromolecules
What are giant covalent structures similar to?
Ionic lattice structures, except there are no charged ions
How are the atoms bonded together in a macromolecule?
By strong covalent bonds
Why are the melting and boiling points high in macromolecules?
Because the forces of attraction between the molecules are strong and do not part easily.
Do macromolecules conduct electricity?
No, except for graphite when molten
What three substances have giant covalent structures?
Diamond
Graphite
Silicon Dioxide (silica)
What are the properties of diamond?
- Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds in a very rigid, giant covalent structure
- This structure makes it the hardest natural substance
What are the properties of diamond?
- Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds in a very rigid, giant covalent structure
- This structure makes it the hardest natural substance
What are the properties of graphite?
- Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds which creates layers that slide over each other
- The sliding layers makes graphite soft and slippery
- The layers are held together so loosely that they can be rubbed onto paper. This is because there are weak inter-molecular forces between the layers
What is so special about graphite?
It is the only non-metal that is a good conductor of heat and electricity. This is because each carbon atom has one delocalised electron that conducts heat and electricity.
What are the properties of silicon dioxide (silica)?
- This is what sand is made of
- Each grain of sand is one giant structure of silicon and oxygen
What are the properties of silicon dioxide (silica)?
- This is what sand is made of
- Each grain of sand is one giant structure of silicon and oxygen
What are the properties of all metallic structures?
- The metallic bonds involve ‘free electrons’
2. They have delocalised (free) electrons that come from the outer shell of every metal atom in the structure.
What do the delocalised electrons do?
- They are free to move through the whole structure which makes metals good conductors of heat and electricity
- They also hold atoms in a regular structure because of the strong forces of electrostatic attraction between the positive metal ions and the negative electrons
- They also allow the layers of atoms to slide over each other, allowing metals to be bent and shaped
What is an alloy?
When two or more metals are mixed together to create an alloy with desired properties
What happens when creating an alloy?
When a metal is mixed with a pure metal, the new metal atoms distort the layers of metal atoms and free electrons. This makes it difficult for them to slide over the top of each other and makes the harder and stronger than normal metals.
What is a smart material?
A material that behaves differently depending on the conditions.
Give an example of a smart material and what it does.
Nitinol (shape memory alloy). You can bend and twist it and it will stay that shape. However, when heated, it will go back to its original shape. It is used for dental braces and glass frames.
What is a nanoparticle?
A small particle that contains roughly a few hundred atoms. It includes fullerenes. It has very different properties from the ‘bulk’ chemical that it is made from.
What is a fullerene?
Molecules of carbon, shaped like hollow balls/closed tubes. The carbon atoms are arranged in hexagonal rings. Different fullerenes contain different numbers of carbon atoms. Fullerenes can be joined to form nanotubes.
What makes carbon nanotubes very strong?
All the covalent bonds
What uses do nanotubes have?
- They have a huge surface area to volume ratio so can help make new industrial catalysts
- To make sensors to detect one type of molecule
- To test water purity
- To make stronger, lighter building materials
- To make new cosmetics
- To make nanomedicine- fullerenes are easily absorbed by the body so they could potentially deliver drugs to cells where it is needed.
- New lubricant coatings
- To conduct electricity- can be used in tiny electric circuits for computer chips
What are polymers?
Very large molecules that are made when many smaller molecules join together in chains, end-to-end. The smaller molecules are called monomers.
Give an example of a polymer.
Plastic
What determines the properties of plastics?
The forces between the molecule chains that make up the plastic