Chapter 4 Atoms & the Periodic Table Flashcards
Electron
The negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom
Atom
The smallest particle of an element
Nucleus
Tiny region in an atom’s center
Proton
The positively charged particles found in an atom’s nucleus
Neutron
The neutral particle found in an atom’s nucleus
Atomic Number
The number of protons in an atom
Used to arrange particles on the periodic table
Isotope
Atoms with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons than the original atom
Ex: atom = carbon, isotope = carbon-14
Atomic Mass
The average mass of all the isotopes of an element
Whole number = protons + neutrons
Periodic Table
A chart of the elements showing a repeating pattern of their properties
Periods
The horizontal rows on the periodic table
Groups
The vertical columns on the periodic table
Chemical Symbol
The one or two letter representation of an element
Metal
A class of elements characterized by physical properties that include shininess, malleability, ductility, and conductivity
Ductile
A material that can be pulled out, or drawn, into wire
Malleable
A material that can be hammered into thin sheets or other shapes
Conductivity
The ability of an object to transfer heat or electricity to another object
Reactivity
The ease and speed with which an element combines, or reacts, with other elements or compounds
Corrosion
The destruction of a metal through gradually wearing away in chemical reactions
Alkali Metals
The metals in Group 1
Alkaline Earth Metals
The metals in Group 2
Transition Metals
The metals in Groups 3 through 12
Nonmetal
An element that lacks the properties of a metal
Most are poor conductors of electricity and heat and are reactive with other elements
Halogens
The elements in Group 17
Noble Gases
The elements in Group 18
Metalloids
Have characteristics of both metals and nonmetals
Semiconductor
Substance that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others
