Matter Flashcards

Matter

• Matter consists of anything that possesses mass and occupies space.
• Composed of minuscule particles known as atoms.

Atoms

• Atoms represent the fundamental building blocks of matter.
• They are the smallest indivisible units of matter.

Protons

• Protons are positively charged particles found within an atom's nucleus.

Neutrons

• Neutrons are neutral particles that carry no electric charge.

Electrons

• Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

• Defined as the total count of protons in an atom's nucleus, which also equals the number of electrons in the outer electron cloud.

Mass Number

• The mass number refers to the sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.
• For example, oxygen has a mass number of 16.

Isotope

• Isotopes are variants of the same element that have differing numbers of neutrons.

Compound

• Compounds are formed when atoms of two or more different elements chemically bond together.

Bond

• Bonds are the attractive forces that hold atoms together within compounds.

Covalent Bond

• Covalent bonds are formed through the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Ionic Bonds

• Ionic bonds occur when atoms combine by transferring charges, resulting in positively or negatively charged ions.

Ions

• Ions are atoms that carry an electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Mixture

• A mixture consists of two or more substances that are not chemically combined, allowing for separation.

Heterogeneous Mixture

• In a heterogeneous mixture, the components are not uniformly distributed, exemplified by a salad.

Homogeneous Mixture

• Also known as solutions, homogeneous mixtures exhibit uniform composition throughout, making individual components invisible.

Density

• Density is defined as mass divided by volume, with its measurement expressed in grams per cm³.

Solids

• In solids, atoms are fixed in place relative to one another, maintaining a rigid structure.

Liquids

• In liquids, atoms are attracted to each other but can move and change positions, allowing for a flowing nature.

Gases

• In gases, atoms experience minimal attractive forces, enabling them to move freely and expand to fill their container.

Plasma

• Plasma is a state of matter that is composed of charged particles but requires further definition.