Chapter 2 Flashcards
all matter is composed of ___?
ATOMS!
why does chemistry matter in biology?
the reactions in cells involve atoms and chemical bonds joining together or breaking apart
what charge do electrons have?
negative
what charge do protons have?
positive
what charge do neutrons have?
no charge, they are neutral
what subatomic particles are located in the nucleus of the atom?
protons and neutrons
what subatomic particles orbit the nucleus?
electrons
what makes different atoms different?
the number of electrons and neutrons
what is an element?
a substance whose atoms all have the same number of protons
what are isotopes?
atoms of the same element that have different atomic mass numbers due to different number of neutrons
what is a way that the characteristics of atoms can change?
radioactive decay
what are neutral atoms?
atoms that have an overall neutral charge
what is the overall goal of nature?
equilibrium
why does equilibrium matter?
atoms want to be neutral, meaning their electrons want to be paired
what are ions?
atoms that have gained or lost an electron and have a changed overall net charge
what are cations?
positively charged ions that have lost an electron
Plussy Cat’s are a good, positive thing :0
what are anions?
negatively charged ions that have gained an electron
An(T)ions are bad and negative because they bite you!
where in the atom does chemical bonding take place?
in the outermost electron orbital
what type of energy do electrons possess?
potential energy
where is the potential energy of an electron the strongest?
in the outermost orbital
like a ball at the top of a hill
where is the potential energy of an electron the weakest?
closest to the nucleus
like the ball at the bottom of a hill
what two things can happen to an electron during bonding?
oxidation or reduction
what is oxidation? (OiL)
Oxidation is the Loss of an electron by an atom during bonding, resulting in a cation
what is reduction? (RiG)
Reduction is the Gain of an electron by an atom during bonding, resulting in an anion