Chemistry Vocab Pt1

Element

A substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler

substances by chemical means.

Compound

A substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements

joined by chemical bonds.

Chemical Symbol

A one-, two-, or three-letter abbreviation of the name of an

element.

Chemical Formula

A combination of chemical symbols and numbers to

represent a substance.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that maintains the properties of that

element.

Molecule

A group of atoms that are held together by chemical forces; a

molecule is the smallest unit of a compound that keeps all the properties of that

compound.

Periodic Table

An arrangement of the elements in order of their atomic

numbers such that elements with similar properties fall in the same column, or

group.

Pure Subtance

A sample of matter, either a single element or a single

compound, that has definite chemical and physical properties.

Structure

What something looks like or how its made.

Function

What something’s purpose is or what it does