Topic 2 - The Nature Of Molecules And Water Flashcards
Atom
The smallest unit of matter that has the properties of an element
Isotope
One or more forms of an element that have a different number of neutrons
Atomic number
Number of protons
Mass number
Protons + neutrons
Where are the protons and neutrons located in an atom?
In the nucleus
Where are the electrons located in an atom?
In orbitals/clouds around the nucleus
True or false: in a neutral atom, protons = electrons
True
What determines the chemical behavior of atoms?
Electrons
What is the octet rule?
Atoms are most stable if their valence shell is full of electrons.
When is an atom reactive?
When it does not have the maximum number of electrons in its energy level.
Electronegativity
The tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself.
True or false: oxygen has the highest electronegativity
True
List the electronegativities of the following elements: O, N, C, H
O: 3.5
N: 3.0
C: 2.5
H: 2.1
Ionic bond
The attraction of 2 oppositely charged ions; a bond in which electrons are transferred from one ion to the other
Ions
Atoms that have an unequal number of protons and electrons
Cations
Positively charged ions
True or false: cations lose electron(s)
True
Anions
Negatively charged ions
True or false: anions gain electron(s)
True
Ionic bonds are strong as a crystal, but weak in water. Why?
Water is polar and interferes with the electrical charge holding ions together.
Covalent bonds
Bonds between two atoms sharing electrons
True or false: covalent bonds are strong bonds
True
What is the strongest type of covalent bond?
Triple bond
Polar covalent bond
Type of covalent bond that forms as a result of unequal electron sharing, resulting in creating slightly positive and negative charged molecule regions.
In other words, polarity is caused by atoms with different electronegativities sharing electrons in a covalent bond.
Intramolecular
Is a polar covalent bond intramolecular or intermolecular?
Intramolecular
Hydrogen bonds
Bonds that occur between two molecules that have polar covalent bonds.
The slightly positively charged atom (hydrogen) in one polar covalent bond is attracted to the slightly negatively charged atom in a second polar covalent bond.
Intermolecular
Are hydrogen bonds strong or weak?
Weak
Why are hydrogen bonds biologically important?
They can be easily broken and reform.
1. They hold proteins together at secondary and tertiary structure, allowing them to be flexible.
2. They hold the strands of DNA together in the double stranded helix, allowing it to break apart and reform easily for replication or protein synthesis.
3. They hold water together, essential for all life.