essential chemistry
Order by
42 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 atom | basic unit of matter |
| matter | exists as elements and compounds, all things living/nonliving are made of matter |
| Elements | cannot be broken down into other substances, 92 natural occuring |
| Compounds | chemical combination of 2 or more elements; most matter exists in this form; sometimes compounds are most stable than parts (NaCl) |
| subatomic particles | protons, neutrons, electrons |
| atomic number | number of protons; number of electrons |
| atomic mass-atomic number | number of neutrons |
| isotope | atoms with same number of protons but differ in number of neutrons |
| electrons | only subatomic particle located outside the nucleus, are the particles that determine the kinds of compounds that can be formed |
| covalent bonds | share electrons, strongest bonds |
| molecule | 2 or more atoms held together by a covalent bond |
| polar bonds | unequal sharing of electrons |
| nonpolar bonds | equal sharing of electrons |
| ionic bonds | electrons are given from one to another |
| compounds | atoms joined by ionic bonds |
| hydrogen bond | weak intermolecular bonds that form, break and reform to give the overall 3D shape and versatility |
| Van der Waals forces | weak bonds between very close molecules, serve to reinforce overall 3D shape |
| trace element | an element that is essential for life but required in extremely minute amounts |
| radioactive isotope | nucleus decays spontaneously, giving off particles and energy |
| electron shells | energy levels that electrons move around the nucleus |
| orbitals | discrete volumes of space in which electrons are most likely to be found |
| valence shell | outermost shell |
| valence | bonding capacity of an atom |
| ion | an atom/molecule with an electrical charge |
| chemical reaction | the breaking and making of chemical bonds, leads to changes in the composition of matter |
| reactant | starting material |
| product | material resulting from the chemical reation |
| cohesion | tendency of molecules of the same kind to stick together |
| adhesion | the clinging of one substance to another |
| surface tension | measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid |
| heat | amount of energy associated with the movement of atoms and molecules in a body of matter |
| temperature | the average speed of molecules |
| evaporative cooling | when a substance evaporates the surface of the liquid that remains behind cools down |
| solution | liquid consisting of a uniform mixture of 2 or more substances |
| solvent | dissolving agent |
| solute | substance that is dissolved |
| aqueous solution | where wateris the solvent |
| acid | compound that donates H ions to solutions |
| base | compound that accepts H ions and removes them from a solution |
| buffers | substances that minimize change in pH |
| acid precipitation | rain, fog, or snow that has a pH lower than 5.2; damages life in lakes/streams; affects plants through changes in soil chemistry |
| ocean acidification | carbon dioxide dissolving in seawater lowers ocean pH |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.