Fundamental Chemistry Principles

Flashcards covering introductory chemistry concepts including classification of matter, element names, atomic structure, subatomic particles, isotopes, common ions, scientific notation, and unit conversions.

What is chemistry?

Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties, and interactions of matter.

How is matter defined?

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.

According to this classification flow chart, how is matter organized and separated?

Matter is categorized into Mixtures (homogeneous and heterogeneous) and Pure Substances (compounds and elements). Mixtures are separated into pure substances by physical methods, and compounds are separated into elements by chemical methods.

What is a pure substance?

A pure substance is a form of matter with a constant composition and distinct properties.

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, while a compound consists of atoms of two or more elements chemically combined in fixed ratios.

What are the Latin names for Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Silver, Tungsten, Gold, Mercury, and Lead?

Sodium is Natrium ($\text{Na}$), Potassium is Kalium ($\text{K}$), Iron is Ferrum ($\text{Fe}$), Copper is Cuprum ($\text{Cu}$), Silver is Argentum ($\text{Ag}$), Tungsten is Wolfram ($\text{W}$), Gold is Aurum ($\text{Au}$), Mercury is Hydrargyrum ($\text{Hg}$), and Lead is Plumbum ($\text{Pb}$).

What is the atomic number ($Z$) of an element?

The atomic number ($Z$) is the integer associated with each element that represents the total number of protons in its nucleus.

In the periodic table, what do rows and columns represent?

Rows are called periods, and columns are called groups or families (where elements in the same column have related properties).

What trend in element classification occurs when moving from left to right across periods 2 through 7 on the periodic table?

Moving from left to right across periods 2 to 7, elements transition from metal to metalloid to nonmetal.

What are the mass in kilograms and electric charge in coulombs for an electron, proton, and neutron?

An electron has a mass of $9.109 \times 10^{-31}\,\text{kg}$ and charge of $-1.602 \times 10^{-19}\,\text{C}$; a proton has a mass of $1.672 \times 10^{-27}\,\text{kg}$ and charge of $+1.602 \times 10^{-19}\,\text{C}$; a neutron has a mass of $1.674 \times 10^{-27}\,\text{kg}$ and neutral charge ($0\,\text{C}$).

What is the mass number ($A$) of an atom?

The mass number ($A$) is the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons ($\text{protons} + \text{neutrons}$) in an atom.

How many protons, electrons, and neutrons are in an atom of boron-10 ($^{10}_{5}\text{B}$)?

It contains $5$ protons, $5$ electrons, and $5$ neutrons ($10 - 5 = 5$).

What is an isotope?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element (having the same atomic number) that have different mass numbers because they contain different numbers of neutrons.

What are the names and isotopic symbols of the three isotopes of hydrogen?

Hydrogen ($^{1}_{1}\text{H}$, 0 neutrons), Deuterium ($^{2}_{1}\text{H}$, 1 neutron), and Tritium ($^{3}_{1}\text{H}$, 2 neutrons).

What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

A cation is a positively charged ion formed when a neutral parent atom or molecule loses one or more electrons; an anion is a negatively charged ion formed when a neutral parent atom or molecule gains one or more electrons.

What is the distinction between a monoatomic ion and a polyatomic ion?

A monoatomic ion consists of a single atom, whereas a polyatomic ion consists of two or more atoms.

What is the formula and charge for the Ammonium ion?

$$\text{NH}_4^+$$

What are the chemical formulas and charges for Nitrate, Nitrite, Carbonate, and Sulfate ions?

Nitrate is $\text{NO}_3^-$, Nitrite is $\text{NO}_2^-$, Carbonate is $\text{CO}_3^{-2}$, and Sulfate is $\text{SO}_4^{-2}$.

What is the difference between a homogeneous mixture and a heterogeneous mixture?

A homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout, whereas a heterogeneous mixture has a nonuniform composition.

In scientific notation written as $b \times 10^n$, what do $b$ and $n$ represent?

$b$ is the significand, which is a number between $1$ and $10$, and $n$ is a positive or negative integer.

What is dimensional analysis?

Dimensional analysis (also called the factor label method) is a mathematical tool for making unit conversions by using conversion factors derived from valid unit equivalencies.

What three fundamental unit equivalencies must be memorized according to the notes?

$1\,\text{liter} = 1000\,\text{mL}$, $1\,\text{inch} = 2.54\,\text{cm}$, and $1\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{cm}^3$.