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Chemistry of Life Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the significance of neutrons?

A

Determines the atom’s physical stability.

Hence whether an atom is stable or radioactive.

They are neutrally charged particles.

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2
Q

What are radioactive atoms?

A

Unstable atoms.

Generally, these are atoms that consist of more neutrons than protons.

These atoms emit protons neutrons on energy. This is known as radioactivity.

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3
Q

What are Elements?

A

Elements are stable substances that cannot be broken down into anything simpler.

Ex. Carbon and Hydrogen

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4
Q

How many naturally reoccurring types of elements are there?

A

92

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5
Q

What is an atom?

A

The smallest sample of an element.

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6
Q

What is the nucleus of an atom?

A

Center of the atom and consists of protons and neutrons.

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7
Q

What is the significance of protons?

A

Determines the type of element.

They are positively charged particles.

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8
Q

What is the significance of electrons?

A

Determines an element’s chemical properties.

They are negatively particles.

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9
Q

Finish the fact.

An atom starts out with the same number of….

A

Electrons and Protons.

Hence the atom would be electrically neutral.

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10
Q

What is atomic number?

A

The # of Protons in an atom

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11
Q

What is atomic weight?

A

The # of Protons and Neutrons in an atom.

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12
Q

What is the weight in units of atom?

A

Atomic Mass Unit.

A.M.U

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13
Q

What does CHNOPS stand for?

A
  1. Carbon
  2. Hydrogen
  3. Nitrogen
  4. Oxygen
  5. Phosphorus
  6. Sulfur.

The most common elements.

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14
Q

What is an isotope?

A

Atoms with Same # of Protons but different # of Neutrons.

Same element [hence, same atomic #]; different atomic weight.

Isotopes vary in physical stability [due to the vary # of neutrons] ; some spontaneously decay into more stable atoms called radioactive isotopes.

Ex. Radioactive Uranium turns into Lead.

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15
Q

What are the alkali metals?

A

Alkaline metals are the first vertical/column group in the periodic table.

They contain one electron in their orbit.

Therefore, they share similar chemical properties.

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16
Q

What are transitional elements in the periodic table?

A

These elements start from SC to ZN.

They are less likely to give electrons. Hence, they are less metallic.

17
Q

Difference between Metals and Non Metals?

A

Metals are givers [+] of electrons and therefore conduct electricity. While, Non-metals are takers [-] of electrons and hence do not conduct electricity].

Note: There’s a ‘staircase’ starting from Boron, downward, separating the Metals from the Non-metals. Metals on the left and Non-metals on the right.

18
Q

Which group in the periodic table are the halogens?

A

7

19
Q

Which group in the periodic table are the Noble gases?

A

8

The outmost shell are filled to capacity.

They neither conduct or do not conduct electricity.

Hence, they do not take or give away electrons [they don’t bind with anything else].

20
Q

Which column on the periodic table takes more electrons?

A

7

21
Q

Which column on the periodic table gives more electrons?

A

1

22
Q

What are the metalloids on the periodic table?

A

They are the elements on the boundary line of the ‘staircase’ on the periodic table.

They are reluctant givers or takers of electrons.

Including B, Al, Si, Po and Bi. There are atoms that sometimes give electrons, or they sometimes take electrons.

23
Q

What is the naturalist heaviest metal?

A

Uranium.

24
Q

How many electrons do Non-Metals have in their outermost shell?

A

4 or more

25
Q

What are ions?

A

Atoms that have a net electrical charge [polarity].

Due to the # of Electrons being different than the # of Protons.

Results when an atom either gains or looses an electron.

26
Q

What is half-life?

A

The time it takes for half of the radioactive isotope to change into the stable form.

For instance, the time it takes uranium to turn into lead.

27
Q

Which element is predominantly used in chemicals?

A

Carbon

28
Q

What are compounds?

A

Substances made up of more than one element in a specific proportion.

29
Q

What is a molecule?

A

The smallest sample of a compound.

The atoms in a molecule are held together by a chemical bond.

30
Q

What is an ionic chemical bond?

A

The electrical attraction between ions.

Usually occurs between a metal and nonmetal and can easily break.

31
Q

What are covalent chemical bonds?

A

Results from sharing of Electrons.

They usually occur between two of the same kind of atoms.

32
Q

Name the three types of covalent bonds?

A
  1. single
  2. Double
  3. Triple
33
Q

What is an inorganic compound?

A

Chemically small and simple compounds

[low energy].

They are usually solids or gasses.

Biology (10 decks)

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