Basic Kitchen Chemistry 2026

What is an Element

An element is a substance made up of the same atoms

What is a Compound

A compound is a substance where two or more elements are chemically bonded together

What is a Mixture

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded

What are Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom

What are Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles in an atom's nucleus that determine its atomic number

What are Neutrons

Neutrons are neutral subatomic particles

What is Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus

How are Electrons arranged

Electrons are arranged in energy shells (orbits)maximum (2, 8, 8, 8, …)

What are Groups in the Periodic Table

Groups are the vertical columns of the periodic table that state how many Electrons are in the VALENCE shell

What are Periods in the Periodic Table

Total number of Electron shells

What is an Ion

A charged particle, either a positive cation or negative anion, formed when an atom gains or loses electrons

What is a Positive Ion

A positively charged ion, formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons

Cation

What is a Negative Ion

A negatively charged ion, formed when an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons

Anion

What is Polyatomic Ion

A polyatomic ion is a charged species composed of two or more bonded atoms that behaves as a single unit. For Ex. NH4+

What is Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are substances formed by the attraction between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, typically resulting from the transfer of electrons between atoms. The overall charge is 0

Na

2,8,1 + Cl

2,8,7

Na+ Cl

= Sodium Chloride/ NaCl

How do you name Ionic Compounds

Name the metal cation first, then the non‑metal anion; for transition metals add the oxidation state in Roman numerals (Iron ii) after the metal name. For example, NaCl is Sodium Chloride

How to Drop & Swap when Writing Chemical Formulas

If not neutral, drop the charge and swap the side it is on. Add brackets to Polyatomic Atoms.

Pb2+ + Cl

PbCl2

Mg2+ + OH

Mg(OH)2

What is a Physical Change

A physical change is a change in a substance that does not alter its chemical composition, such as changes in state, shape, or size.

What is a Chemical Change

A chemical change is a process in which substances are transformed into new substances with different chemical properties and usually can't be reversed.

What are Observational Skills

The ability to notice, record, and interpret details about substances, reactions, and processes through the 5 senses.