A-Level Chemistry Vocabulary: Atomic Structure and Elements

A comprehensive set of English vocabulary flashcards based on A-Level chemistry terms including atomic structure, subatomic particles, and elemental properties.

Particle

A small portion of matter, such as an atom or a subatomic component.

Ion

An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Ionic radius

The measure of an atom's ion in a crystal lattice, typically half the distance between two ions that are barely touching each other.

Atomic structure

The arrangement of protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive electric charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with no electric charge, located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative electric charge that surrounds the nucleus in shells.

Radioactive

The property of some forms of matter that emit energy and subatomic particles spontaneously.

Atomic radius

A measure of the size of an atom, usually the distance from the center of the nucleus to the boundary of the electron cloud.

Subatomic

Refers to particles smaller than an atom, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Nucleus

The small, dense, central core of an atom consisting of protons and neutrons.

Electron shell

The outside part of an atom surrounding the nucleus where electrons are found.

Nuclear force

The force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus.

Isoelectronic

Describing atoms, ions, or molecules that have the same number of electrons or the same electronic structure.

Electric field

A region around a charged particle within which a force would be exerted on other charged particles.

Particle beam

A stream of charged or neutral particles moving in the same direction at high velocity.

Deflect

To cause a particle to deviate from its straight trajectory, often by an electric or magnetic field.

Electronic configuration

The distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule in atomic or molecular orbitals.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Energy level

The specific amount of energy that an electron in an atom can have.

Subshell

A subdivision of electron energy levels, designated as s, p, d, or f.

Free radical

An uncharged molecule or atom that has at least one unpaired electron.

Lone pair

A pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom in a chemical bond.

Unpaired electron

An electron that occupies an orbital of an atom as a single occupant.

Excited state

A state in which an atom has a higher energy level than its ground state.

Ground state

The lowest energy state of an atom or other particle.

Repulsion force

A force that tends to push two objects apart, such as like charges.

Abundance

The measure of the quantity of an isotope found in nature.

Boiling point

The temperature at which a substance changes state from liquid to gas.

Endothermic

A process or reaction that requires or absorbs heat from its surroundings.

Transition element

Metallic elements that have incomplete d subshells.

Catalytic converter

An exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases into less-toxic pollutants.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction involving the loss of electrons by a substance.