Chemistry: Atomic Structure and Bonding

Study Notes

Atomic Structure

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, composed of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by orbiting electrons.
Protons carry a positive charge, neutrons are neutral, and electrons carry a negative charge.
The number of protons defines the element.
Atomic number is the number of protons.
Atomic mass is the sum of protons and neutrons.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
Electron shells or energy levels determine the electron configuration and chemical properties.
Valence electrons are the outermost electrons and are involved in chemical bonding.

Chemical Bonding

Chemical bonds hold atoms together to form molecules or compounds.
Ionic bonds form between a metal and a nonmetal, where electrons are transferred.
Covalent bonds form between nonmetals, where electrons are shared.
Metallic bonds occur between metal atoms, characterized by a "sea" of delocalized electrons.
Hydrogen bonds are a special type of dipole-dipole attraction between hydrogen and a highly electronegative atom (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine).
Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular attractions.

Periodic Table

The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and properties.
Elements are arranged in rows (periods) and columns (groups) based on increasing atomic number.
Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties due to similar valence electron configurations.
Metals are generally on the left side and exhibit metallic properties (e.g., luster, conductivity).
Nonmetals are generally on the right side and exhibit nonmetallic properties (e.g., poor conductivity, brittle).
Metalloids display properties of both metals and nonmetals.

States of Matter

Matter exists in three primary states: solid, liquid, and gas.
Solids have a fixed shape and volume due to strong intermolecular forces.
Liquids have a fixed volume but take the shape of their container due to weaker intermolecular forces.
Gases have neither a fixed shape nor volume, filling the container they occupy due to very weak intermolecular forces.
Plasma is a state of matter consisting of ionized gas.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms to form new substances.
Reactants are substances that undergo change.
Products are substances formed from the reaction.
Chemical equations represent the changes in a reaction.
Quantities of reactants and products are expressed using stoichiometry.
Types of reactions include synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, combustion.

Solutions

Solutions are homogeneous mixtures of two or more substances.
A solute is the substance dissolved in a solvent.
A solvent is the substance in which the solute dissolves.
Concentration describes the amount of solute in a given amount of solvent.
Factors influencing solubility include temperature, pressure, and nature of the solute and solvent.

Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) in water.
Bases are substances that release hydroxide ions (OH−) in water.
The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution.
Acids have pH values less than 7, bases have pH values greater than 7.
Neutralization reactions occur when an acid and a base react, producing a salt and water.

Thermochemistry

Thermochemistry studies the heat changes that accompany chemical reactions.
Exothermic reactions release heat to the surroundings.
Endothermic reactions absorb heat from the surroundings.
Enthalpy (ΔH) measures the heat content of a system.
Specific heat capacity and heat transfer are important concepts in thermochemistry.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of atomic structure and chemical bonding in this quiz. Understand the roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons, as well as the differences between ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. Test your knowledge on these essential chemistry topics.