Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, and Ionic Compounds Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering atomic structure, isotopes, periodic table classifications, ions, ionic nomenclature, and hydrates based on lecture notes.

Atomic Number ($Z$)

Equal to the number of protons or number of electrons in an atom.

Mass Number ($A$)

Equal to the total number of protons plus neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms that have the same atomic number ($Z$), but differing mass numbers ($A$) due to varying numbers of neutrons.

Periodic Table

A table used to organize elements according to similar properties, arranged by atomic number.

Periods

Horizontal rows on the Periodic Table.

Groups (Families)

Vertical columns on the Periodic Table containing elements with similar properties.

Metals

Elements that conduct heat and electricity, comprising the majority of known elements.

Nonmetals

Elements that are poor conductors of heat and electricity, totaling $17$ elements on the periodic table.

Metalloids

Elements that possess properties of both metals and nonmetals and conduct heat and electricity moderately, totaling $8$ elements.

Main Group Elements

Elements found in Groups IA through VIIIA on the Periodic Table.

Alkali Metals

Group IA elements that lose $1$ electron to form cations with a $+1$ charge.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Group IIA elements that lose $2$ electrons to form cations with a $+2$ charge.

Chalcogens

Elements located in Group VIA of the Periodic Table.

Halogens

Elements located in Group VIIA of the Periodic Table.

Noble Gases

Group VIIIA elements that are stable and do not form ions.

Transition Metals

Elements located in Groups 1B through VIIIB, most of which form $+2$ cations, with some capable of forming multiple possible cations.

Atomic Mass Unit ($1\,\text{amu}$)

A unit of mass equal to $\frac{1}{12}$ the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

Atomic Weight

The weighted average atomic mass of an element across all of its isotopes in the quantities that exist in nature.

Ion

An electrically charged particle created when an atom loses or gains electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Stock System

A naming system for transition metal ions where Roman numerals specify the positive charge of the ion.

Polyatomic Ions

Ions consisting of two or more atoms held together as an ionic entity through chemical bonding, maintaining a consistent charge.

Oxoanions

Polyatomic anions containing a central atom bound to differing numbers of oxygen atoms while sharing the same overall charge.

Empirical Formula

The simplest whole number ratio of ions that combine to form a neutrally charged compound.

Hydrates

Compounds that contain a specific number of water molecules within their solid structure.

Anhydrous

The form of an ionic compound that contains no water in its structure.