Composition of Matter Quiz

Composition of Matter

• Everything in the universe is made of matter
• Matter takes up space and has mass
• Mass refers to the quantity of matter in an object
• Weight refers to the pull of gravity on an object

Elements

• Pure substances that cannot be broken down chemically
• More than 100 elements exist

Compounds

• Most elements do not exist by themselves
• Elements readily combine with other elements in a predictable fashion
• A compound is a pure substance made of two or more elements
• Compounds have a fixed proportion of atoms

Atoms

• The simplest particle of an element that retains all its properties
• Atomic properties determine the structure and properties of matter they compose
• Our understanding of atomic structure is based on scientific evidence

The Nucleus

• Found at the center of the atom
• Consists of protons (positively charged) and neutrons (no charge)
• Makes up most of the atom's mass

Protons

• All atoms of an element have the same number of protons
• The number of protons is balanced by an equal number of electrons

Neutrons

• The number of neutrons can vary slightly between atoms of the same element
• Neutrons have no charge

Electrons

• Negatively charged particles with little mass
• Travel at high speeds at various distances from the nucleus
• The distance of an electron from the nucleus is determined by it's energy level

Electronic Configuration

• Electrons are distributed across energy levels and sub-shells (orbitals)

Energy Levels

• Atoms have seven energy levels

• These levels are designated as K (closest to the nucleus) through Q (furthest from the nucleus)

• The K level can only hold 2 electrons

• The L level can hold 8 electrons

• Electrons at the same energy level are roughly the same distance from the nucleus

• Outer energy levels have more energy than inner energy levels

Sub shells (Atomic Orbitals)

• Each energy level is made up of one or more sub-shells
• Sub-shells are composed of atomic orbitals

Test your knowledge on the foundational concepts of matter, including elements, compounds, and atomic structure. This quiz covers the properties and classification of matter, helping you understand how everything in the universe is made up of various forms of matter.