Stoichiometery, Water and Solutions Flashcards
What are cations and anions?
Cations are positively charged due to the loss of an electron. These are usually alkalai elements. Cats chuck charges.
Anions are negatively charged due to gaining an electron. An ant ate.
What are acids and bases
An acid is something that gives protons. Acids attach.
A base is something that accepts a proton. Bases buy.
What is a mole?
A mole is a number like a dozen, hundred, or a billion. Specifically, it is 6e23.
It is calibrated such that a mole of carbon 12 atoms weights 12 grams. Which implies that a mole of hydrogen weights about 1 gram.
Types of bonds. What are the three types and how do they differ?
Bonds are formed when electrons exchange electrons. The type of bond depends on how strongly the electron is pulled towards whatever element wants it more. Or how much time they spend around each atom. This is determined by the relative electronegativity of the reaction partners.
Of course this makes a continuum ranging from one element hogging the entire electron, through both being equally happy. But they are broken into three groups.
Covalent bonds, where both elements share the electron. The weakest type of bond. An example would be Carbon and Hydrogen.
Polar Covalent Bonds, where one atom wants the electron more, but not so much that if they’re split apart ions are left.
Ionic bonds. Where one element steals the electron entirely and creates an anion/cation pair. The electrostatic force of these ions keeps them bonded. As such, it is very strong.
What is electronegativity?
Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly an element will attract electrons to it. A higher electronegativity means more attraction (e.g. Halogens).
The key is not so much the absolute value, but the relative value between two elements which determines the strength of the bond between elements.
