Chapters 1–3 Exam Cram Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapters 1 through 3 including atomic structure, metric units, electron configurations, and measurement rules.

Atom

Basic unit of an element that maintains its chemical properties.

Proton

Subatomic particle with a charge of $+1$, located in the nucleus, with an approximate mass of $1\,amu$.

Neutron

Subatomic particle with a charge of $0$, located in the nucleus, with an approximate mass of $1\,amu$.

Electron

Subatomic particle with a charge of $-1$, located in the electron cloud, with an approximate mass of $\approx 0\,amu$.

Nucleus

Small, dense, positively charged center of an atom made of protons and neutrons.

Electron cloud

Area composed of electrons that makes up most of the atom's volume.

Atomic number (Z)

The number of protons in an atom, which identifies the element.

Mass number (A)

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons and different mass numbers.

Atomic mass

The weighted average mass of naturally occurring isotopes of an element as listed on the periodic table.

Scientific Notation

A value written as a number from $1$ to $10$ multiplied by a power of $10$.

Dimensional Analysis

A problem-solving method where conversion factors are set up so unwanted units cancel.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance, calculated as $d = \frac{m}{V}$.

Specific gravity

The ratio calculated as $\text{Specific gravity} = \frac{\text{density of substance}}{\text{density of water}}$.

s sublevel

Sublevel consisting of $1$ spherical orbital with a maximum capacity of $2$ electrons.

p sublevel

Sublevel consisting of $3$ two-lobed orbitals with a maximum capacity of $6$ electrons.

d sublevel

Sublevel consisting of $5$ orbitals with a maximum capacity of $10$ electrons.

f sublevel

Sublevel consisting of $7$ orbitals with a maximum capacity of $14$ electrons.

Electron Configuration

Notation showing how electrons fill energy levels and sublevels in order of increasing energy.

Valence shell

The outermost energy level of an atom.

Valence electrons

Electrons located in the outermost energy level (valence shell) of an atom.

Electron-dot symbols

Symbols that show valence electrons as dots around the element symbol.