Atoms and Elements in Environmental Chemistry

Study Notes

Atoms and Elements

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter.
Atoms consist of a nucleus containing protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral), surrounded by orbiting electrons (negatively charged).
Elements are substances composed of only one type of atom.
Atomic number defines an element, representing the number of protons in the atom's nucleus.
Atomic mass represents the total mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Electron configuration describes the arrangement of electrons in energy levels and sublevels around the nucleus.
Periodic table arranges elements based on atomic number.

Chemistry of the Environment

Environmental chemistry studies chemical processes in the environment.
Key areas include: air pollution (e.g., acid rain), water pollution (e.g., eutrophication), and soil contamination.
Environmental chemistry investigates the impact of human activities on the environment, and vice versa.
Chemical cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, water) are crucial in environmental processes.
Pollution control and remediation are areas of active research.
Chemical principles are used to study and address environmental problems.
Biogeochemical cycles describe the movement of chemical substances through living organisms and the environment.

The Periodic Table

The periodic table organizes elements based on increasing atomic number and recurring chemical properties.
Elements with similar properties are placed in vertical columns called groups or families.
Horizontal rows are called periods.
Elements are categorized into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, based on their properties.
Metals typically conduct electricity and heat, are malleable, ductile, and generally shiny.
Nonmetals typically do not conduct electricity or heat, are brittle, and may be solid, liquid, or gaseous.
Metalloids have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
The table's arrangement reveals trends in atomic radii, ionization energies, and electronegativity.
Elements exhibit characteristic chemical behavior based on their position in the periodic table.
Group numbers usually reflect the number of valence electrons, influencing reactivity.

Reacting Masses and Equations

Stoichiometry involves the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
Balanced chemical equations represent the relative amounts of reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction.
Coefficients in balanced equations represent the mole ratios of reactants and products.
The law of conservation of mass dictates that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance.
Percentage composition determines the percentage of each element in a compound.
Empirical formulas represent the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
Molecular formulas give the actual number of atoms of each element in a compound.
Limiting reactants determine the maximum amount of product formed in a reaction.
Yield percentage compares the actual yield of a reaction to the theoretical yield.

Description

Explore the fundamentals of atoms and elements and their role in environmental chemistry. This quiz delves into topics like atomic structure, isotopes, and the periodic table alongside the impacts of chemical processes in the environment. Test your knowledge on air and water pollution as well.