chemistry definitions Flashcards
Activation Energy
Minimum energy (1)
required before a reaction can occur or go or start (1)
Atomic number
Number of protons in one atom or nucleus (1)
Allow protons & electrons
do not allow protons + electrons or electrons 1
Catalyst
A substance that speeds up the reaction / alters the rate but is chemically unchanged at the end / not used up Both ideas needed
Dynamic Equilibrium
Rate of forward reaction = rate backward reaction (1)
concentration remains constant (1)
NOT ‘Equal’, Allow ‘The same’ if clear that means constant 2
Electronegativity
Tendency or strength or ability or power of an atom/element/nucleus to
attract/withdraw electrons / e– density / bonding pair / shared pair 1
In a covalent bond (tied to M1 – unless silly slip in M1)
(If molecule/ion then = CE = 0) (NOT electron (singular) for M1)
Mark as 2 + 2 1
Empirical Formula
(simplest) ratio of atoms of each element in compound (1)
Enthalpy Change
Heat energy change (1)
Not energy on its own
measured at constant pressure (1)
Mark separately, ignore constant temperature statements 2
First Ionisation Energy
The energy required to remove 1 electron from every atom in 1 mole of gaseous atoms to form a mole of gaseous 1+ ions
X –> X^+ + e^–
Hess’s Law.
(The enthalpy change for a reaction is) independent of the route (1)
Isotope
Atoms with the same number of protons / proton number (1)
NOT same atomic number
with different numbers of neutrons (1)
NOT different mass number / fewer neutrons
Le Chatelier’s Principle
Equilibrium opposes a change; (Q of L mark) 1
Mass Number
p + n / number of nucleons
(accept protons and neutrons)
(Incorrect reference to electrons = contradiction)
Mean Bond Enthalpy
(Energy required) to break a given covalent bond into gaseous atoms (1)
averaged over a range of compounds (1)
Penalise first mark if ‘energy’ / ‘enthalpy’ evolved 2
Oxidation
Loss (of electrons) (1)
Oxidising Agent
Species that Gains electrons (or removes electrons) 1