Chemistry Concepts and Reactions

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from chemistry, focusing on atomic structure, periodic table trends, properties of elements, and chemical reactions.

Periodic Table Trend

The period number indicates the amount of energy shells/levels an atom has.

Group Number

Tells us the number of valence (outermost) electrons in an atom.

Metals

Elements characterized by being hard, high density, shiny, good conductors, malleable, ductile, sonorous, and magnetic.

Non-Metals

Elements characterized by being weak, low density, dull, poor conductors, and brittle.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom, which is also equal to the number of electrons.

Atomic Mass

The total number of protons and neutrons within an atom.

Protons

Positively charged particles located within the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutrally charged particles located within the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom.

Ions

Charged atoms that occur when an atom gains or loses electrons to complete its valence shell.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses an electron.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains an electron.

Ionic Compounds

Compounds that contain both a non-metal and a metal.

Molecular Compounds

Compounds that contain only non-metals.

Chemical Reaction Signs

Indicators of a chemical reaction including temperature change, color change, new substance formed, and gas production.

Reactants and Products

Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction, and products are the substances formed.

Balancing Chemical Equations

The process of ensuring the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

Neutralization Reaction

A type of reaction between an acid and a base that forms salt and water.

Acids

Substances that produce hydrogen ions in water and can react with certain metals to produce salt.

Bases

Substances that can neutralize acids by reacting with hydrogen ions, usually containing hydroxide ions.