Basic Chemistry Concepts Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is matter?

A combination of two or more elements

A state of matter

A substance that cannot be broken down

Anything that has mass and takes up space (correct)

What is an element?

A substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary means; found in the periodic table.

What is a compound?

A substance composed of two or more elements chemically combined.

What is a mixture?

A combination of two or more types of matter that can be separated. Signup and view all the answers

The two types of mixtures are and .

homogeneous, heterogeneous Signup and view all the answers

What is a solution?

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. Signup and view all the answers

What is a solvent?

The substance present in a solution in the greatest amount. Signup and view all the answers

What is a solute?

The substance that is dissolved in the solvent. Signup and view all the answers

What is solubility?

The amount of solute that will dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a given temperature. Signup and view all the answers

What are the states or phases of matter?

Solid, Liquid, Gas Signup and view all the answers

What is the boiling point?

The temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the external pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What are physical properties?

Characteristics of a substance that can be observed with the senses. Signup and view all the answers

What are physical changes?

Changes in appearance without altering the composition of a substance. Signup and view all the answers

What are chemical properties?

Characteristics of a substance that describe how it reacts with other substances. Signup and view all the answers

What are chemical changes?

Changes that occur when the chemical composition of a substance changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is an atom?

The smallest unit of an element. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nucleus?

The central part of the atom where protons and neutrons are located. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ion?

An atom that has lost or gained electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge. Signup and view all the answers

What are isotopes?

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is radioactivity?

The spontaneous release of energy and particles from the nucleus of an atom. Signup and view all the answers

What is atomic mass?

The average mass of one atom of an element in atomic mass units (amu). Signup and view all the answers

What is radiation?

Energy released from a decaying nucleus in the form of particles and electromagnetic waves. Signup and view all the answers

What is atomic number?

The number of protons in an element. Signup and view all the answers

What is mass number?

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical symbol?

The symbol used to represent an element in chemical formulas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a period in the periodic table?

Horizontal rows on the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What is a family/group in the periodic table?

Columns of the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What are nonmetals?

Elements that are dull and do not conduct heat, located on the right of the stair-step line on the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What is a metal?

Elements that exhibit luster and are good conductors, located to the left of the stair-step line on the periodic table. Signup and view all the answers

What are metalloids?

Elements that have properties of both metals and nonmetals, located on the stair-step line. Signup and view all the answers

What is ionization energy?

The amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom. Signup and view all the answers

What is electronegativity?

The ability of an atom to attract electrons when in a compound. Signup and view all the answers

What is reactivity?

The ability of a substance to combine chemically with another substance. Signup and view all the answers

What are diatomic elements?

Elements that exist naturally as molecules made up of two atoms chemically bonded covalently. Signup and view all the answers

What are elements?

The simplest substances composed of one atom. Signup and view all the answers

What are chemical formulas?

Represent molecules through combinations of symbols and subscripts. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fundamental Chemistry Concepts

Matter: Anything that possesses mass and occupies space.
Element: A pure substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances; represented on the periodic table.
Compound: A substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded together, exhibiting different properties than the constituent elements.
Mixture: A physical combination of different substances that retains individual properties and can be separated.

Types of Mixtures

Homogeneous Mixture: Uniform composition throughout; also known as a solution.
Heterogeneous Mixture: Non-uniform composition, visibly different substances or phases.

Solutions

Solution: A specific type of homogeneous mixture comprising a solute (substance dissolved) and a solvent (substance in greater amount).
Solvent: The component of a solution that is present in the largest quantity, commonly water, recognized as a universal solvent.
Solute: The substance that is dissolved in the solvent.
Solubility: The maximum amount of solute that dissolves in a specific volume of solvent at a particular temperature.

States of Matter

Solid: Maintains a definite shape and volume.
Liquid: Maintains a definite volume but adapts to the shape of the container.
Gas: Lacks definite shape and volume, expands to fill its container.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure surrounding it.
Physical Properties: Observable traits such as color, odor, density, and state.
Physical Changes: Alterations that affect appearance but not chemical composition; examples include melting and freezing.
Chemical Properties: Traits that determine how a substance interacts and reacts with other materials.
Chemical Changes: Transformations resulting in alterations in chemical composition and properties.

Atomic Structure

Atom: The smallest unit of an element, comprising protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Nucleus: The central part of an atom, housing protons and neutrons.
Ion: An atom that has acquired a net electrical charge by losing or gaining electrons.
Isotopes: Variants of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.
Radioactivity: The process of spontaneous decay in an atomic nucleus, releasing energy and particles.

Atomic Characteristics

Atomic Mass: The average mass of an atom of an element, measured in atomic mass units (amu).
Radiation: Energy emitted from decaying nuclei, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
Atomic Number: The total number of protons present in an atom of an element.
Mass Number: Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, specific to isotopes.
Chemical Symbol: Notation used to represent elements in chemical formulas.

Periodic Table Organization

Period: Horizontal rows on the periodic table indicating increasing atomic number.
Family/Group: Vertical columns on the periodic table, sharing similar chemical properties.

Classification of Elements

Nonmetals: Elements typically lacking luster, poor conductors of heat, located on the right of the periodic table's stair-step line.
Metals: Shiny and good conductors of heat, situated to the left of the stair-step line.
Metalloids: Elements exhibiting properties of both metals and nonmetals, found along the stair-step line.

Chemical Reactivity

Ionization Energy: The energy needed to remove an electron from an atom.
Electronegativity: The tendency of an atom to attract electrons when part of a compound.
Reactivity: The likelihood of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction.

Special Groups of Elements

Diatomic Elements: Elements that exist as molecules composed of two identical atoms; include hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, represented by a total of seven on the periodic table.

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Description

This quiz features fundamental terms in chemistry, perfect for reinforcing your understanding of basic concepts. With definitions for matter, elements, and compounds, you'll enhance your knowledge of chemical substances. Ideal for beginners and those looking to solidify their grasp on chemistry basics.