Chapter 2 - Chemistry and Molecules of Life Flashcards
What is matter?
anything that takes up space/has mass
What are elements?
pure substances that cannot be broken down
What are compounds?
elements combined in a fixed ratio
What are atoms?
units that cannot be broken down, what elements consist of
Nucleus
dense core
Protons
positive charge
Electrons
negative charge
Neutrons
electrically uncharged/neutral
Atomic Number
equals the number of protons
Atomic Mass
number of protons plus number of neutrons
What is an isotope?
alternative mass forms of an element
- same number of protons and electrons
- different number of neutrons
What is an ion?
electrically charged atom
Ionic Bonds
attraction of opposite charges holding atoms together
- transfer of electrons from one atom to another
- -> become ions because the atoms are no longer neutral
Arrangement of Electrons
- constantly moving
- 2 on inner shell, 8 on outer (valence) shell
- filling outer shell=not reactive
Ionic Bonds
attraction of opposite charges hold atoms together
- transfer of 1 or more electrons from one atom to another
- strong
Covalent Bonds
electrons shared rather than transferred
- bonds hold atoms together forming molecules
- strong
Double Covalent Bond
sharing two pairs of electrons
more bonds = stronger
Reactant
molecules that participate in reactions
products
molecules formed by reactions
What kind of bond does water have?
Covalent Bond
What is a polar covalent bond?
oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen so it spends more time with the electrons, giving the water molecule a slightly more negative charge
Hydrogen bond
slightly positive hydrogen atoms are attracted to slightly negative oxygen atom in water molecule
- weak bond, but impressive
- easily broken which leads to liquid water
- -> results in water having a higher resistance to temp change
Cohesion
tendency of same type of molecules to stick together (ex. water rising from roots of plants to leaves against gravity)
Surface Tension
cumulative strength of hydrogen bonds prevent water surface from breaking (ex. insect walking on water)