Chapter 1 Flashcards
Name the mass and charge of each subatomic particle
proton: +1 , 1 amu
neutron: 0 , 1 amu
electron: -1 , 0
An atom in the elemental state (as an element) always has a neutral charge because
the number of protons (+) equals the number of electrons (-)
Why is electron configuration important?
it determines how a particular atom will react with atoms of other elements
Explain ground state
electrons in the lowest available energy level
Explain excited state
when an atom absorbs energy, its electrons move to a higher energy level
Provide an example of atoms in an excited state.
During photosynthesis, chlorophyll molecules absorb light energy, which boosts electrons to higher energy levels.
- The excited electrons provide the energy to make sugar as they return to their ground state and release the energy they previously absorbed
Isotopes
atoms of 1 element that vary only in the number of neutrons in the nucleus
Chemically, all isotopes of the same element are identical because
they have the same number of electrons
Radioisotopes are
isotopes that are radioactive, for example, carbon-14
Explain half-life
the nuclei of radioisotopes emit particles and decay at a known rate
How can we use half-life?
measuring the age of fossils or to estimate the age of Earth
Define tracer.
a radioactive substance that can be used to track a substance as it moves through an organism or through a metabolic pathway
-radioactive carbon can be used as a tracer
When a bond is formed, _____
When a bond is broken, ______
energy is released
energy must be supplied or absorbed
Ionic bonds
form when electrons are transferred
Give examples of ions that are necessary for our health
Cl-, Na+, and Ca2+ are important for normal cell, tissue, and organ function
Covalent bonds
form when atoms share electrons
What type of bond results in a molecule?
a covalent bond
The two types of covalent bonds are _______
What are these classifications based on
nonpolar and polar
whether electrons are shared equally or unequally
What are the characteristics of nonpolar covalent bonds?
electrons are shared equally
formed between any 2 atoms that are alike
for ex. H2, O2, etc.
What are the characteristics of polar covalent bonds?
electrons are shared unequally
formed between any 2 atoms that are unlike
for ex. CO and H2O
Intermolecular attraction are
attractions between molecules
Dipole - Dipole forces
Polar-Polar attraction
attractive forces between the positive end of 1 polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule
Dipole-dipole bonding can result in
either a polar (unbalanced) molecule or nonpolar (balanced)
Which bond has stronger attractions between them? Polar or Nonpolar molecules
polar molecules
for ex. water is a highly polar molecule