Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to atomic structure and the periodic table, focusing on definitions and essential concepts.

Atomic Structure

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

Solid

A state of matter where particles are closely packed together and do not move freely.

Liquid

A state of matter where particles are close but can move past one another, adopting the shape of their container.

Gas

A state of matter where particles are far apart and move freely in all directions.

Melting

The process where a solid turns into a liquid as particles gain energy.

Freezing

The process where a liquid turns into a solid as particles lose energy.

Boiling

The process where a liquid changes into gas when sufficient energy allows particles to escape.

Condensing

The change of state from gas to liquid when gas particles lose energy.

Sublimation

The transition of a substance directly from a solid to a gas without becoming a liquid.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

Proton

A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutrally charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Relative Atomic Mass (Ar)

The average mass of an element's isotopes compared to the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of elements based on increasing atomic number and similar chemical properties.

Group

A vertical column in the periodic table that contains elements with similar chemical properties.

Period

A horizontal row in the periodic table corresponding to an energy level of electrons.

Kinetic Theory

A theory that explains the behavior of gases, saying that particles are in constant motion and interact with one another.