Basic Concepts of Chemistry

Matter: Anything that has mass and occupies space.
Atoms: Basic unit of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Elements: Pure substances consisting of one type of atom, listed in the periodic table.
Compounds: Substances formed from two or more elements chemically bonded together.

Ionic Bonds: Formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in charged ions.
Covalent Bonds: Formed when two atoms share electrons.
Metallic Bonds: Occur between metal atoms, involving a sea of shared electrons.

Reactants: Substances that undergo change during a reaction.
Products: Substances formed as a result of a chemical reaction.
Types of Reactions:
- Synthesis: Combining elements to form a compound.
- Decomposition: Breaking down a compound into simpler substances.
- Single Replacement: One element replaces another in a compound.
- Double Replacement: Exchange of ions between two compounds.
- Combustion: Reaction with oxygen, producing heat and light.

Acids: Substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, have a sour taste, and turn blue litmus paper red.
Bases: Substances that release hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution, have a bitter taste, and turn red litmus paper blue.
pH Scale: Measures acidity or basicity of a solution; ranges from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base), with 7 being neutral.

Mole: A unit representing 6.022 x 10²³ particles (atoms, molecules).
Molar Mass: The mass of one mole of a substance, usually expressed in grams per mole (g/mol).
Balanced Equations: Ensure that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the reaction.

Endothermic Reactions: Absorb heat from the surroundings (e.g., melting ice).
Exothermic Reactions: Release heat to the surroundings (e.g., combustion).
Enthalpy (ΔH): The total heat content of a system.

Hydrocarbons: Compounds consisting only of hydrogen and carbon.
Functional Groups: Specific groupings of atoms that impart characteristic properties to organic molecules (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Must wear goggles, gloves, and lab coats.
Chemical Handling: Always read labels and safety data sheets (SDS), and work in well-ventilated areas.

Matter is defined as anything that possesses mass and occupies physical space.
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, made up of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Elements are pure substances that consist exclusively of one type of atom, represented in the periodic table.
Compounds are substances formed through chemical bonds between two or more different elements.

Ionic Bonds result from the transfer of electrons between atoms, creating charged ions (cations and anions).
Covalent Bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, allowing them to achieve stability.
Metallic Bonds occur among metal atoms, characterized by a "sea of electrons" that allows for conductivity and malleability.

Solid: Maintains a definite shape and volume with particles tightly packed in a fixed structure.
Liquid: Has a definite volume but no fixed shape; particles are closer together than in gases and can flow.
Gas: Lacks both shape and volume; particles are widely spaced and move independently.

Reactants are the initial substances that undergo chemical change during a reaction.
Products are the new substances generated at the conclusion of a chemical reaction.
Types of Reactions include:
- Synthesis: Formation of a compound from simpler substances.
- Decomposition: Breakdown of a compound into its component elements or simpler compounds.
- Single Replacement: One element replaces another in a compound.
- Double Replacement: Exchange of ions occurs between two compounds.
- Combustion: A reaction with oxygen that typically releases energy in the form of heat and light.

Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in aqueous solution; they are characterized by a sour taste and a red litmus paper reaction.
Bases produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution; they have a bitter taste and turn red litmus paper blue.
The pH Scale quantifies acidity or basicity, ranging from 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base), with 7 indicating neutrality.

A Mole represents an amount of substance containing 6.022 x 10²³ particles, a fundamental constant in chemistry.
Molar Mass is determined by the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol).
Balanced Equations ensure that the number of each type of atom remains constant on both sides of a chemical reaction.

Endothermic Reactions absorb heat, leading to a temperature drop in surroundings (e.g., ice melting).
Exothermic Reactions release heat, causing an increase in surrounding temperature (e.g., combustion of fuels).
Enthalpy (ΔH) denotes the total heat content within a chemical system, crucial for understanding energy changes.

Groups are vertical columns within the periodic table, where elements exhibit similar chemical behaviors.
Periods are horizontal rows indicating a systematic change in properties across the table.
Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids classify elements based on their physical and chemical properties.

Hydrocarbons constitute organic compounds containing solely hydrogen and carbon atoms, serving as the foundation of organic chemistry.
Functional Groups are specific atom arrangements within molecules that determine characteristic chemical reactions and properties (e.g., hydroxyl group in alcohols, carboxyl group in acids).

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as goggles, gloves, and lab coats, is essential for laboratory safety.
Proper Chemical Handling involves reading labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), alongside ensuring adequate ventilation in working areas.