jac words Flashcards
alchemists
olden-day ‘chemist’ who mixed chemicals and tried to change ordinary metals into gold. Alchemists also tried to tell the future.
investigations
activity aimed at finding information
observations
information obtained by the use of our senses or measuring instruments
scientists
people skilled in or working in the fields of science; scientists use experiments to find out about the material world around them
elements
pure substance made up of only one type of atom
atoms
a very small particle that makes up all things. Atoms have the same properties as the objects they make up
atomic number
number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. The atomic number determines which element an atom is.
chemical symbol
he standard way that scientists write the names of the elements, using either a capital letter or a capital followed by a lowercase letter. For example, carbon is C and copper is Cu.
compounds
substance made up of two or more different types of atoms that have been joined (bonded) together
bonded
force that holds particles of matter, such as atoms, together
mixtures
a combination of substances in which each keeps its own properties
hydrogen
the element with the smallest atom. By itself, it is a colourless gas and combines with other elements to form a large number of substances, including water. It is the most common element in living things.
oxygen
a gas in the air (and water) that animals need to breathe in; made up of particles with two oxygen atoms. Plants produce oxygen as part of photosynthesis.
metals
elements that conduct heat and electricity; shiny solids that can be made into thin wires and sheets that bend easily. Mercury is the only liquid metal.
non-metals
elements that do not conduct electricity or heat. They melt and turn into gases easily and are brittle and often coloured.
