The Language of Chemistry

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the language of chemistry, focusing on definitions, types of reactions, and fundamental principles of chemical interactions.

What are the basic definitions of symbols and valency in chemistry?

Symbols represent elements, and valency refers to the combining capacity of an atom or radical.

What is a radical in chemistry?

A radical is an atom or group of atoms that behaves as a single unit with a positive or negative charge.

What defines a compound?

A compound is a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in a fixed proportion.

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

An element cannot be decomposed into simpler substances while a compound can be broken down into its constituent elements.

What is a chemical equation?

A chemical equation is a symbolic representation of a chemical reaction using the symbols and formulae of the substances involved.

What does it mean to balance a chemical equation?

Balancing a chemical equation means making sure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

How are relative atomic masses defined?

Relative atomic mass is the average mass of the atoms of an element, scaled relative to 1/12 of the mass of carbon-12.

What is the significance of molecular formula?

The molecular formula represents the quantity of each type of atom in a molecule and indicates its molecular mass.

What types of energy changes occur during chemical reactions?

Chemical reactions can be exothermic (release energy) or endothermic (absorb energy).

What is the process of neutralization in terms of an acid and a base?

Neutralization is the reaction between an acid and a base that produces salt and water, resulting in a neutral solution.

What are the characteristics of chemical changes?

Characteristics of chemical changes include being permanent, irreversible, and often resulting in changes of color, energy, or formation of gas.

What are the two main types of chemical reactions?

Chemical reactions can be classified into combination reactions and decomposition reactions.

What is a displacement reaction?

Displacement reactions occur when a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound.

Define a double decomposition reaction.

In a double decomposition reaction, two compounds react to form two different compounds by mutual exchange of ions.

How does temperature affect the rate of chemical reactions?

Increasing temperature generally increases the rate of chemical reactions due to increased particle movement and collisions.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have unpaired valence electrons, making them highly reactive.