Atomic Structure, Radioactivity, and Organic Chemistry Flashcards

Flashcards for review based on lecture notes about atomic structure, radioactivity, organic compounds, and reactions.

Diameter of the atomic nucleus

Approximately 10,000 times smaller than the entire atom.

Protons

Positively charged particles in the nucleus.

Neutrons

Electrically neutral particles in the nucleus.

Proton Number (Z)

The number of protons in the nucleus.

Neutron Number (N)

The number of neutrons in the nucleus.

Nucleon Number (A)

The number of nucleons in the nucleus (protons + neutrons).

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Quarks

Elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons.

Radioactivity

The ability of some atomic nuclei to emit radiation and transform into a different nucleus.

Radionuclide

A nuclide with an unstable nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay.

Defectoscopy

Using radiation to detect flaws in materials.

Carbon Dating

Determining the age of organic materials by measuring the decay of carbon-14.

Alpha Radiation

Radiation consisting of fast-moving helium nuclei.

Beta Radiation

Radiation consisting of fast-moving electrons (β-) or positrons (β+).

Gamma Radiation

Penetrating electromagnetic radiation.

Half-life

The time it takes for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Nuclear Fusion

The process of combining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus.

Nuclear Fission

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two smaller nuclei, typically induced by a neutron.

Carbon

All organic substances contain this element.

Covalent Bonds

Atoms are linked through sharing of electrons.

Stechiometric (Empirical) Formulas

Formulas that provide the least amount of information about a compound, only showing the stoichiometric ratio of elements.

Summative Formulas

Formulas showing not only the stoichiometric ratio but also the actual number of atoms of each element.

Expanded Structural Formulas

Formulas showing all the symbols and bonds.

Rational Formulas

Formulas showing all the atoms and bonds but list summative hydrogens.

Line-angle Formulas

Uses lines to indicate carbon bonds (zig-zag), with only heteroatoms drawn.

Functional Group Formulas

Formulas with notable functional groups noted.

Isomers

Compounds with the same number and kind of atoms but differ in arrangement.

Constitutional Isomers

Isomers that differ in the order of atoms and bonds in the molecule.

Chain Isomers

Isomers that have different carbon chains.

Positional Isomers

Isomers that differ in the position of functional groups.

Group Isomers

Isomers that have different functional groups.

Tautomers

Isomers differing in double bond and functional groups.

Configurational Isomers

Isomers that are oriented differently in space.

Cis-Trans Isomers (E-Z Isomers)

Isomers that are arranged differently around a double bond or ring.

Enantiomers

Isomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.

Conformations

Spatial arrangements of a compound by rotation around single bonds.

Reactants

Substances that take part in a chemical reaction.

Substrate

An organic substance that undergoes a reaction.

Reagent

A substance (usually inorganic) that triggers a reaction.

Homolytic (Radical) Reactions

Symmetrical breaking of a bond, forming radicals.

Heterolytic (Ionic) Reactions

Unsymmetrical breaking of a bond, forming ions.

Substitution

A reaction in which an atom or group is replaced by another.

Elimination

A reaction in which multiple bonds are formed or increased.

Addition

A reaction in which multiple bonds are reduced.

Molecular Rearrangement

A reaction in which atoms move from one part of a molecule to another.