chem exam vocab

Question 1

the negative subatomic particles in the electron cloud of an atom

Answer 1

electron

Question 2

a form of energy that exhibits wavelike behavior as it travels through space

Answer 2

electromagnetic radiation

Question 3

a unit of distance for measuring waves

Answer 3

wavelength

Question 4

the number of waves that pass a given point in a certain time

Answer 4

frequency

Question 5

the spectrum of light released from excited atoms of an element

Answer 5

emission spectrum

Question 6

it is impossible to determine the position and velocity of an electron or other particle simultaneously

Answer 6

Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Question 7

electrons in the outermost energy level of the electron cloud

Answer 7

valence electrons

Question 8

the tendency of atoms to prefer to have 8 valence electrons

Answer 8

octet rule

Question 9

atoms or molecules that have a charge due to having lost or gained electrons

Answer 9

ions

Question 10

atoms that LOSE electrons in order to become stable; results in a POSITIVE charge; usually a metal

Answer 10

cations

Question 11

atoms that GAIN electrons in order to become stable; results in a NEGATIVE charge; usually nonmetals

Answer 11

anions

Question 12

a convenient and simple way to represent an element and its valence electrons

Answer 12

lewis structures

Question 13

a mathematical description for the wave properties of electrons and other tiny particles

Answer 13

Quantum theory

Question 14

a 3D region around the nucleus that showed where an electron probably is

Answer 14

orbital

Question 15

the most stable arrangement of electrons in an atom’s electron cloud

Answer 15

electron configuration

Question 16

objective; based on senses

Answer 16

observation

Question 17

subjective; based on perceptions

Answer 17

inference

Question 18

data based on qualities

Answer 18

qualitative data

Question 19

data based on quantities (numbers and measurements)

Answer 19

quantitative data

Question 20

ratios of equivalents values (meaning they equal 1)

Answer 20

conversion factors

Question 21

the number of digits in a measurement that reflect how accurate the measurement is

Answer 21

significant figures

Question 22

a technique for converting numbers into different units, without changing their value

Answer 22

dimensional analysis

Question 23

anything that has Mass and volume

Answer 23

matter

Question 24

a measure of the amount of matter

Answer 24

Mass

Question 25

a measure of how much space something takes up

Answer 25

volume

Question 26

the smallest unit of an element that maintains the identity of an element

Answer 26

atom

Question 27

a pure substance that cannot be broken down into anything simpler or more stable

Answer 27

element

Question 28

a pure substance that can be chemically broken down into simple and more stable substances; when atoms of two or more elements are chemically combined

Answer 28

compound

Question 29

pure matter with a fixed composition throughout

Answer 29

substance

Question 30

combination of matter with a variable composition throughout

Answer 30

mixture

Question 31

a mixture with an even distribution of components

Answer 31

homogeneous mixture

Question 32

when one substance (solute) is dissolved into another (solvent)

Answer 32

solution

Question 33

the measure of how well a solute dissolves in a solvent

Answer 33

solubility

Question 34

when the solute dissolved in water

Answer 34

aqueous solution

Question 35

a solution of metals

Answer 35

alloy

Question 36

a mixture with an uneven distribution of components

Answer 36

heterogeneous mixture

Question 37

matter is never created or destroyed; it only changes from

Answer 37

Law of Conservation of Matter

Question 38

the smallest unit of an element that still has the properties of that element

Answer 38

atom

Question 39

the positive subatomic particle in the nucleus of an atom

Answer 39

proton

Question 40

the neutral subatomic particles in the nucleus of an atom

Answer 40

neutron

Question 41

the negative subatomic particles in the electron cloud of an atom

Answer 41

electron

Question 42

electrons in the outermost energy level of the electron cloud

Answer 42

valence electrons

Question 43

make up protons and neutrons and their attraction holds the nucleus together

Answer 43

quarks

Question 44

number of protons in an atom of the element; used to identify an element

Answer 44

atomic number

Question 45

number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

Answer 45

Mass number

Question 46

families; the vertical columns on the periodic table

Answer 46

groups

Question 47

the horizontal rows on the periodic table

Answer 47

periods

Question 48

atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons

Answer 48

isotopes

Question 49

weighted average of all the different versions of an element; measured in amu

Answer 49

average atomic mass

Question 50

a charged atom

Answer 50

ion