| Term | Definition |
|---|
| nucleus | the central core of the atom, containing protons and usually neutrons |
| proton | small positively charged particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom. |
| neutrons | small uncharged particles that are found in the nucleus of the atom |
| electrons | tiny, negatively charged, high-energy particles that move around outside the nucleus of an atom. |
| valence electrons | the electrons that are farthest away from the nucleus of an atom and are involved in chemical reactions |
| electron dot diagram | a representation of the number of valence electrons in an atom, using dots placed around the symbol of the element |
| atomic number | The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom |
| group | elements in the same vertical column on the period table, also called families |
| family | elements in the same vertical column on the period table, also called groups |
| period | elements in the same horizontal row of the periodic table |
| halogen | an element belonging to Group 17 of the periodic table |
| ion | an atom or group of atoms that has become electrically charged |
| ionic bond | The attractions between two oppositely charged ions |
| polyatomic ion | An ion that is made of more than one atom |
| crystal | an orderly, three-dimensional pattern of ions or atoms in a solid |
| covalent bond | a chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons |
| double bond | a chemical bond formed when atoms share two pairs of electrons |
| molecular compound | a compound consisting of molecules of covalently bonded atoms |
| polar | a description of a covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally, or a molecule containing polar bonds that do not cancel out |
| nonpolar | the description of a covalent bond in which electrons are shared equally, or a molecule containing nonpolar bonds, or polar bonds that cancel out |
| mineral | a naturally occurring solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition |
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