Definitions Flashcards
boiling point
The temperature at which the pressure of the gas created above a liquid equals atmospheric pressure
condensation
the change of a gas into a liquid. this process is accompanied by the evolution of heat
diffusion
the process by which different substances mix as a result of the random motions of their particles
evaporation
a process occuring at the surface of a liquid involving the change of state of a liquid into a gas at a temperature below the boiling point. when a solution is heated, the solvent evaporates and leaves the solute behind.
freezing point
the temperature at which a substance freezes. this has the same value as the melting point
melting point
the temperature at which a solid begins to turn into a liquid. pure substances have a sharp melting point
anion
A negative ion. anions are attracted to the anode in electrolysis
atom
the smallest part of an element that can exist as a stable entity. it has a central nucleus containing neutrons and protons surrounded by electrons in shells. An atom contains equal numbers of protons and electrons
cation
a positive ion. cations are attracted to the cathode in electrolysis
chemical change
a permanent change in which a new substance is formed
compound
a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed proportions.
diatomic molecule
a molecule containing two atoms
element
a substance that cannot be further divided into simpler substances by chemical methods.
ion
an atom or group of atoms that has either lost one or more electrons, making it positively charged or gained one or more electrons making it negatively charged.
isotopes
different atoms of the same element that have the same number or protons but different number of neutrons
Mass number (nucleon number)
the total number of protons and neutrons found in the nucleus of an atom, symbol A
mixture
two or more substances mixed together that can be separated by physical means
molecule
a group of atoms covalently bonded together
monatomic molecule
a molecule which exists of only one atom
oxidation
gain of oxygen or loss of electrons or increase in oxidation state
oxidising agent
a substance that oxidises another substance and is itself reduced
proton number ( atomic number)
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, symbol Z
redox reaction
a reaction which involves simultaneous oxidation and reduction.
reducing agent
a substance that reduces another substance and is itself oxidised.
reduction
loss of oxygen or gain or electrons or decrease in oxidation number
relative atomic mass (Ar)
the average mass of the isotopes of an element compared to 1/12 of the mass of an atom of 12C
Covalent bond
a chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between two atoms
delocalised electrons
electrons that are spread out within a metal structure. the electrons are not attached to any one particular ion
giant ionic lattice
a regular arrangement of positive and negative ions held together by the electrostatic forces of attraction between ions
intermolecular force
a weak force of attraction between simple molecules
ionic bond
a strong electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions
lattice
a regular arrangement of atoms, molecules or ions in a solid
avogadro constant
6.02 x 10^23 the number of atoms, ions or molecules in one mole of a substance
empirical formula
a formula showing the simplest whole number ratio of atoms or ions present in a compound
molar mass
the mass of one mole of a compound. unit of g/mol
mole
the amount of substance which contains 6.02 x 10^23 atoms, ions or molecules
molecular formula
a formula showing the actual number and type of different atoms of each element present in one molecule of compound
relative formula mass Mr
the sum of the relative atomic masses of those elements shown in the formula of any substance
anode
the positive electrode. it is positively charged because electrons are drawn away from it
binary compound
a compound containing two elements chemically combined