Basic Chemistry Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is 'matter'?

Anything that can be touched

Anything that is visible

Anything that can be seen

Anything that occupies space and has mass (correct)

What is an 'element'?

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical reactions.

What defines a 'compound'?

A substance containing two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio.

What is the smallest particle of an element?

Atom Signup and view all the answers

What charge does a proton have?

Positive charge Signup and view all the answers

What is an electron?

Subatomic particle having a negative charge, which surrounds the nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a neutron?

Subatomic particle without a charge; found in the nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the nucleus of an atom?

Protons and neutrons together at the center of an atom. Signup and view all the answers

What does the atomic number represent?

Identifies a specific element; equals the number of protons in an atom. Signup and view all the answers

What is a radioactive isotope?

An unstable atom in which the nucleus decays, releasing particles and energy. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an isotope?

Atoms having the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ionic bond?

Occurs when atoms transfer electrons to other atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ion?

Atoms that have lost or gained electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a covalent bond?

Occurs when atoms share electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is a molecule?

Atoms that are held together by covalent bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical reaction?

Interaction of substances that lead to the formation of new substances. Signup and view all the answers

What are reactants?

The starting materials for a reaction, found on the left side of a chemical equation. Signup and view all the answers

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Ending materials of a reaction, found on the right side of a chemical equation. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an organic compound?

Substance made of two or more elements, one being carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an inorganic compound?

Substance made of two or more elements, none of which is carbon. Signup and view all the answers

What are valence electrons?

Electrons in the outermost energy level, involved in bond formation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a single bond?

A covalent bond in which one pair of electrons is shared. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double bond?

A covalent bond in which four valence electrons are shared between two atoms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical formula?

Indicates the number and types of atoms in a molecule. Signup and view all the answers

What is a structural formula?

Shows the number and types of atoms in a molecule and how they are arranged. Signup and view all the answers

What does a chemical reaction indicate?

The formation of new substances from previous substances. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Chemistry Concepts

Matter: Any substance that occupies space and possesses mass.
Element: A pure substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by chemical means.
Compound: Formed when two or more elements are chemically combined in a fixed ratio.

Atomic Structure

Atom: The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties.
Proton: Positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus.
Electron: Negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits around the nucleus.
Neutron: Subatomic particle with no charge, found in the nucleus.
Nucleus: Core of the atom, composed of protons and neutrons.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number: Unique identifier for an element, equal to the number of protons in an atom.
Isotope: Variants of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Radioactive Isotope: An unstable atom whose nucleus decays, emitting particles and energy.

Chemical Bonds

Ionic Bond: Formed through the transfer of electrons between atoms.
Ion: An atom that has either lost or gained electrons, resulting in a charge.
Covalent Bond: Created when atoms share electrons, leading to molecule formation.

Molecular Structure

Molecule: Group of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds.
Chemical Formula: Represents the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule.
Structural Formula: Illustrates the arrangement of atoms within a molecule.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical Reaction: Process where substances interact to form new substances.
Reactant: Starting material in a chemical reaction, positioned on the left side of the equation.
Product: Resulting substances of a reaction, found on the right side of the equation.

Compound Classification

Organic Compounds: Molecules composed of carbon atoms and may include other elements.
Inorganic Compounds: Substances made of two or more elements excluding carbon.

Electron Configuration

Valence Electrons: Electrons in the outermost shell that participate in chemical bonding.
Single Bond: A bond where one pair of electrons is shared between two atoms.
Double Bond: A bond where two pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms.

Summary of Key Terms

Understand the distinction between various forms of chemical bonds and the nature of matter.
Recognize the importance of atomic structure in determining element properties and reactions.
Be able to describe the process and products of chemical reactions effectively.

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Description

Test your knowledge of fundamental chemistry concepts with these flashcards. Each card covers essential terms such as matter, elements, compounds, and atoms. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of basic chemistry.