Atoms and Elements

Vocabulary flashcards covering atoms, elements, molecules, compounds, mixtures, solutions, and nanotechnology concepts from the notes.

Atom

The basic unit of matter; extremely small and invisible to the naked eye, composed of a nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle orbiting the nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

The center of an atom made up of protons and neutrons; electrons orbit around it.

Element

A pure substance consisting of one type of atom; there are over 100 known elements; elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Molecule

The smallest unit of a compound formed when two or more atoms bond together.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine to form a new substance with properties different from its constituent elements.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances that do not lose their identifying characteristics when combined.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture in which one substance dissolves in another.

Nanotechnology

The study of materials at the molecular (atomic) scale

Oxygen (O2)

A diatomic molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms; essential for respiration.

Applications of nanotechnology

Products and procedures that use nanoscale materials, such as sunscreens, scratch‑resistant coatings, and certain medical procedures.