Particulate Nature of Matter - VOCABULARY Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core terms related to the particulate nature of matter, including elements, compounds, mixtures, separation methods, and basic atomic structure.

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that retains its properties; composed of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) and electrons.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be chemically broken down; atoms of the same element have the same number of protons.

Atom

The basic unit of matter that makes up elements; the building block of all substances.

Compound

A pure substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded in a fixed ratio; has properties different from its elements.

Mixture

Matter containing two or more substances not chemically bonded; composition can vary and can be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Pure substance

Matter with a definite composition; either an element or a compound.

Homogeneous mixture

A mixture with uniform composition and properties throughout; components are not easily distinguished.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture with non-uniform composition; components can be visibly distinguished.

Alloy

A metallic mixture of two or more elements (often metals); generally considered a mixture rather than a pure compound.

Solvation

The process by which solvent molecules surround and interact with solute particles in a solution.

Filtration

Separation of a solid from a liquid by passing the mixture through a filter.

Recrystallization

Purification method where a dissolved substance crystallizes out when solution is concentrated or cooled.

Evaporation

Removal of solvent by turning it into vapor to leave the dissolved substance behind.

Distillation

Separation based on different boiling points; vapor is condensed to separate components.

Paper chromatography

Separation of mixture components using a stationary paper and a moving solvent.

Chemical formula

Notation using element symbols and subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound.

Subscript

A small number following an element symbol that shows how many atoms of that element are in a molecule.

Chemical symbol

A one- or two-letter abbreviation for an element (e.g., H, C, Na, Ca, Hg, W); origins can be from English or other languages.

Minerals

Often impure substances that exist as mixtures of elements and compounds in nature.

Native form elements

Elements that occur in nature in their uncombined, elemental form.

Atomic structure

Atoms have a central nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons; the nucleus defines the element.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle in the nucleus; contributes to the atomic number.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle orbiting the nucleus; involved in bonding and reactions.

Ion

An atom with a net electric charge due to gaining or losing electrons.