Small Molecules & The Chemistry of Life - An Element's Atomic Structure Determines Its Properties

Question 1

What is all matter composed of?

Answer 1

atoms - small molecules

Question 2

What are atoms composed of?

Answer 2

electrons ( - charge), protons (+ charge), & neutrons (neutral charge)

Question 3

What is in the atomic nucleus?

Answer 3

protons and neutrons

Question 4

Element

Answer 4

substance with one kind of atom

Question 5

Atomic number

Answer 5

of protons, doesn’t change

Question 6

What determines an element’s behavior in chemical reactions?

Answer 6

of protons & electrons

Question 7

Mass number

Answer 7

protons + neutrons

Question 8

Isotopes

Answer 8

forms of an element with different #s of neutrons, different mass #s
Ex: 12C - 6 neutrons, 13C - 7 neutrons, 14C - 8 neutrons

Question 9

Special names for hydrogen isotopes

Answer 9

Hydrogen - 1 proton, 0 neutrons
Deuterium - 1 proton, 1 neutron
Tritium - 1 proton, 2 neutrons

Question 10

Radioisotopes

Answer 10

radioactive isotope that produces energy via alpha, beta & gamma radiation from the nucleus (radioactive decay)

Question 11

Molecule

Answer 11

stable group of atoms

Question 12

What determines how an atom will combine with another atom?

Answer 12

of electrons

Question 13

What can reactive atoms do? What is the result?

Answer 13

share, lose, or gain electrons; atoms bond together to form molecules

Question 14

Octet rule

Answer 14

tendency of atoms to form stable molecules resulting in full valence shells