Fundamental Ideas Flashcards
What is an element?
A substance made up of only one type of atom.
It cannot be broken down chemically into any simpler substance
What is an atom?
The smallest part of an element that can still be recognised as that element.
It is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons
How are elements in the periodic table arranged?
In groups (columns) and in order of their atomic number
What are groups (in the periodic table)?
All the elements in each column going down the periodic table.
They are labelled 1-7 and 0 (sometimes 1-8) and share similar properties
What is the nucleus?
The very small and dense centre of an atom which contains the protons and neutrons.
It has an overall positive charge
What are electrons?
Tiny particles with a negative charge.
The orbit the nucleus of atoms or ions
What happens when elements react?
Their atoms join together with the atoms of other elements to make compounds
What are compounds?
Substances formed when two or more elements react together and become chemically bonded
What are protons?
Tiny, positive particles found inside the nucleus of an atom
What are neutrons?
Tiny, neutral particles found inside the nucleus of an atom
What overall charge does an atom have?
A neutral charge because the number of protons and electrons is the same
What does the number of protons determine?
What element an atom is
What is the atomic number of an element?
The number of protons in an atom
What is the mass number of an element?
The total number of protons plus the total number of neutrons in an atom’s nucleus.
It does not include the total number of electrons because they do not have very much mass
What is an energy level?
An area in an atom, surrounding the nucleus, in which electrons are located