Unit 7: Reactions

IPC

Chemical reaction

process by which the atoms of one or more substances are rearranged to form different substances

Reactants

starting substances

Products

substances that are formed

Aqueous

dissolved in water

Precipitate

an insoluble compound that comes out of solution

Exergonic

Chemical reactions that release energy

Exothermic

Chemical reactions that release energy as heat

Endergonic

Chemical reactions that absorb energy

Endothermic

Chemical reactions that absorb energy as heat

Reaction rate

how quickly a reaction takes place

Acids

compounds that break up in water to give off H+ ions; accept electron pairs

Bases

compounds that form OH- ions; accept H+ ions; donate an electron pair

Electrolytes

a compound that breaks apart in water, producing charged particles (ions) that can conduct electricity.

pH

a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration

Nucleus

the dense center of an atom made of positive protons and neutral neutrons

Nuclear chemistry

the study of changes to the nucleus of an atom

Radioactivity

emission of radiation

Radiation

particles released due to the disintegration of an atom's nucleus

Radioactive/nuclear decay

the process by which an unstable nucleus can no longer hold itself together, so it loses energy and matter by emitting radiation