Properties of Matter 1 Flashcards
Learn about elements, compounds, atoms, molecules and mixtures and to explore homogenous and heterogenous mixtures
What is an atom?
An atom can be described as the basis of the creation of everything. In other words, everything is made up of atoms. Atoms are tiny particles that are too small to see, even with a microscope.
What is an element?
An element is made up of the exact same atoms.
In other words, the atoms in a particular element are the same as each other, however they are different from the atoms of all other elements
For example, Helium is an element because it is only made up of helium atoms.
Note: In some elements, the atoms do not join together but stay as separate atoms. The noble gases are like this and they are called monoatomic molecules
What is a compound?
A compound is a substance that contains two or more different elements and these are chemically joined together.
Note: compounds always have the elements present in the same ratio by mass
What is a molecule?
Molecules are usually small groups or clusters of atoms chemically bonded together. They can have as few as two atoms(e.g. hydrogen and oxygen) or can have millions of atoms (e.g. a molecule of DNA)
Note: Molecules containing only one type of atom are elements
What is a mixture
A mixture is a physical combination of two or more different compounds. There can be homogenous or heterogenous mixtures.
What is a heterogenous mixture?
A heterogenous mixture has compounds in which proportions vary throughout the sample
In other words a heterogenous mixture is not consistent throughout the whole mixture.
What is a homogeneous mixture?
A homogenous mixture is a solid or liquid or gaseous mixture that has the same proportions of its components throughout.
In other words the components of a homogenous mixture is consistent throughout the whole mixture.
A mixture can be separated by physical means, e.g. sieving, filtration, distillation etc.
What is an impure substance?
An impure substance is something which is contaminated with other small amounts of one or more other substances.
A mixture is considered an impure substance.
What is a pure substance?
Pure substances cannot be decomposed by physical means. They also have a constant chemical composition
Thus, an element is a pure substance because it can’t be decomposed into anything simpler. For example Ca, Al, Zn, Fe.
Compounds are pure substances because they can be broken down by chemical means
What is a gravimetric analysis?
A gravimetric analysis is a quantitative technique used to calculate the mass of components in a mixture or compound
What are ionic compounds?
Ionic compounds are formed between metals and nonmetals
When naming ionic compounds, does the metal or non metal go first?
The metal is named first and then the non-metal ion has -ide at the end
How is the valency of transition metals shown?
Roman numerals in brackets afteer the metal
What are covalent compounds?
Covalent compounds are formed between two nonmetals
When naming ionic compounds, does the metal or non metal go first?
Use the normal elemental name for the first element and -ide for the second
What is an isotope?
An isotope is an element with the same number of protons but a different nucleon/ mass number
What is a nucleon number?
A nucleon number includes the number of neutrons and protons in the nucleus of an atom (equal to mass number)
What is an allotrope?
It is the different physical forms of the same element but still being in the same state (e.g. diamond and graphene)
What are radioisotopes?
These are isotopes which are radioactive
What atomic numbers are guaranteed to be radioactive?
Any atomic number which is over 83
What are transuranic elements?
These refer to elements which are man made
What does radioactivity mean?
The spontaneous emission of an unstable nucleus through the emission of particles, electromagnetic radiation or both
What does the atomic number tell us?
Tells us the number of protons and electrons
What does the mass number tell us?
Tells us the number of protons + neutrons
What is the difference between mass number and atomic mass?
They are basically the same except that atomic mass is expressed in amu
What is Atomic weight
The weighted average of all the isotopes