Chemical Bonding and Periodic Table Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining core terms related to chemical bonds, atomic structure, and families of the periodic table based on lecture notes.

Chemical Bonds

Electrostatic forces that hold atoms together, driving them to form stable molecules and compounds.

Octet Rule

The principle that atoms seek $8$ electrons in their outer shell to achieve stable electron configurations.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed by the transfer of electrons from metals to nonmetals, resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between nonmetal atoms.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where shared electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atom, creating partial positive and negative charges as in water ($H_2O$).

Metallic Bonds

Bonds in metals where delocalized valence electrons move freely in a sea of electrons surrounding a lattice of metal cations.

Compound

A substance made of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio with unique properties.

Atom

The simplest and smallest particle composed of protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Proton

A positively charged particle located inside the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutral particle located inside the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

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

Atomic Number

The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom.

Average Atomic Mass

The mass of an atom including its protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Element

A pure substance made of only one type of atom that cannot be broken down by chemical ways.

Periodic Table

The arrangement of chemical elements by increasing atomic number and similar properties.

Periods

The $7$ horizontal rows on the periodic table.

Groups

The $18$ vertical columns on the periodic table whose elements share similar chemical properties and the same number of valence electrons.

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom.

Metals

Lustrous, malleable elements that are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Non-metals

Elements that do not share the physical or chemical properties of metals.

Metalloids

Transitional elements that share some, but not all, properties of metals.

Alkali Metals

Very reactive metals in Group $1$ (excluding Hydrogen) that always combine with other elements in nature.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Reactive metals in Group $2$ that are always combined with non-metals in nature.

Transition Metals

Harder, less reactive metals in Groups $3$ to $12$ used in jewelry, money, and construction.

Boron Family

Group $13$ elements containing Boron and other metals.

Carbon Family

Group $14$ elements containing Carbon, as well as semiconductors like Silicon and Germanium.

Nitrogen Family

Group $15$ elements, including Nitrogen which makes up more than $75\text{\%}$ of the atmosphere.

Chalcogens

Group $16$ elements, also known as the Oxygen Family.

Halogens

Very reactive, diatomic non-metals in Group $17$.

Noble Gases

Gases in Group $18$ described as very reactive gases used in neon signs and floating balloons.