Chemistry basics Flashcards
What is Chemistry, particles and matter?
Chemistry = The study of matter. Particles = Particular types of matter. Matter = everything the universe is made of.
What is a chemical reaction?
Chemical reaction = a process in which particles interact to form new particles with different compositions.
What is an element?
A single substance that cannot be split by chemical means into something simpler.
What is an atom?
The smallest particle into which an element can be divided whilst retaining its properties.
What are the subatomic particles?
Protons (+1), neutrons (0) and electrons (-1).
What is the significance of electrons?
They = the no. protons in the nucleus - determine chemical reactivity. Circle nucleus at speed of light, staying in energy levels.
What is the proton number and has number?
Atomic number = no. protons. Mass number = no. protons + neutrons.
What are chemical and physical properties?
Chemical = trait of a substance that can be observed when it participates in a chemical reaction. Physical = trait that can be observed or measured without changing the chemical composition of the substance.
What are the periods and groups?
Period = horizontal row of elements. Trends in chemical + physical properties across the period.
Group = vertical column of elements. They share similar chemical + physical properties.
What are metals?
Metal = Shiny, malleable elements that are good thermal and electrical conductors, are solid at room temp. and form positive ions.
What are non-metals?
Poor thermal and electrical conductors. Form negative ions.
What are metalloids?
They have the appearance of a metal but the chemical properties of a non-metal.
What are the four sub-shells?
S block (alkali + alkaline-earth metals), P block (metals + non-metals + metalloids), D block (transition metas), F block (lanthanides + actinides).
What are atomic orbitals?
Particular region of space around the nucleus with a high likelihood of finding an electron.
What are the shapes of the S,P,D and F orbitals?
S = spherical, P = figure of 8, D = four-leaf clover, F = Tetrahedral.
Each sub-shell fits how many orbitals?
S = 1, P = 3, D = 5, F = 7.
What is a chemical equation?
Symbolic representation of a chemical reaction in the form of symbols and chemical formulas.
What is an ionic equation?
a chemical equation that shows the reacting ions of an aqueous solution.
What is a chemical bond?
electrostatic forces of attraction between two or more atoms to become stable.