Ch 2.1 : Building Blocks of Molecules

Question 1

CHNOPS

Answer 1

Carbon, Hydrogen Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus & Sulfur

• Essential elements required for survival

Question 2

Matter

Answer 2

Life is made up of matter
- All matter is composed of elements
- Elements : substances that cannot be broken down or transformed chemically into other substances

Question 3

Atoms

• Smallest part of…
• Subatomic particles (PEN)

Answer 3

Smallest part of an element and retains all of the chemical properties of that element
- All atoms contain subatomic particles : protons, electrons, and neutrons

Question 4

Protons

Answer 4

Are positively charged particles that resides in the nucleus of an atom
- Has a mass of 1 and a charge of +1

Question 5

Electrons

Answer 5

Are negatively charged particles that resides outside of the nucleus
- Has a negligible mass and has a charge of –1

Question 6

Neutrons

Answer 6

Neutrons reside in the nucleus of an atom
- Have a mass of 1 and no charge

Question 7

Atomic Number
6
C
Carbon
12.011

Answer 7

Is the number of protons that a specific element has
TOP NUMBER

Carbon Example : 6 is the atomic number

6
C
Carbon
12.011

Question 8

Atomic Mass
6
C
Carbon
12.011

Answer 8

Is the amount of protons plus the amount of neutrons of a specific element
BOTTOM NUMBER

• Carbon Example : 12.011 is the atomic number

Question 9

Molecules

Answer 9

Atoms can bond to form molecules
- Can be made of same the elements (e.g., H2 , O2 etc)
and/or
- Can be combination of elements (e.g. H2O, CO2 etc)

Question 10

Isotopes

Answer 10

Isotopes of elements have the same # of protons but different # of neutrons

• Some isotopes are unstable and will “decay” at a regular rate to the stable form of an element

Question 11

Radioactive Dating

Answer 11

Depending on the elements and isotopes used, we can use the decay rate to age date rocks (e.g. carbon dating)