CH 2 Flashcards
acid
molecule that donates hydrogen ions and increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution
adhesion
attraction between water molecules and other molecules
aliphatic hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon consisting of a linear chain of carbon atoms
anion
negative ion that is formed by an atom gaining one or more electrons
aromatic hydrocarbon
hydrocarbon consisting of closed rings of carbon atoms
atom
the smallest unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an element
atomic mass
calculated mean of the mass number for an element’s isotopes
atomic number
total number of protons in an atom
balanced chemical equation
statement of a chemical reaction with the number of each type of atom equalized for both the products and reactants
base
molecule that donates hydroxide ions or otherwise binds excess hydrogen ions and decreases the hydrogen ions’ concentration in a solution
buffer
substance that prevents a change in pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen or hydroxide ions
calorie
amount of heat required to change the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius
capillary action
occurs because water molecules are attracted to charges on the inner surfaces of narrow tubular structures such as glass tubes, drawing the water molecules to the tubes’ sides
cation
positive ion that is formed by an atom losing one or more electrons
chemical bond
interaction between two or more of the same or different atoms that results in forming molecules
chemical reaction
process leading to rearranging atoms in molecules
chemical reactivity
the ability to combine and to chemically bond with each other
cohesion
intermolecular forces between water molecules caused by the polar nature of water; responsible for surface tension
compound
substance composed of molecules consisting of atoms of at least two different elements
covalent bond
type of strong bond formed between two atoms of the same or different elements; forms when
electrons are shared between atoms
dissociation
release of an ion from a molecule such that the original molecule now consists of an ion and the charged remains of the original, such as when water dissociates into H+ and OH-
electrolyte
ion necessary for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and water balance
electron
negatively charged subatomic particle that resides outside of the nucleus in the electron orbital; lacks functional mass and has a negative charge of –1 unit
electron configuration
arrangement of electrons in an atom’s electron shell (for example, 1s22s22p6)
electron orbital
how electrons are spatially distributed surrounding the nucleus; the area where we are most likely to find an electron
electron transfer
movement of electrons from one element to another; important in creating ionic bonds
electronegativity
ability of some elements to attract electrons (often of hydrogen atoms), acquiring partial negative charges in molecules and creating partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms