Chemistry Fundamentals and Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering core introductory chemistry definitions, including compound classifications, ions, acids and bases, and basic chemical principles.

Multivalent

Metal cations that have more than one valence.

Molecular

A compound formed from a nonmetal and a nonmetal.

Ionic

A compound formed from a metal and a nonmetal.

Cation

A positive ion.

Anion

A negative ion.

Indicators

Chemicals that are used to determine the pH of a substance.

Polyatomic ions

A group of atoms covalently bonded together that carry an overall charge.

Aqueous

Dissolved in water.

Base

A substance with a pH above 7 that turns red litmus paper blue and typically ends in $OH$.

Acid

A substance with a pH below 7 that turns blue litmus paper red and typically starts with $H$.

Precipitate

A solid formed from two solutions during a chemical reaction.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down any further.

Binary compound

A compound made of two elements (such as calcium oxide).

Matter

Anything that takes up space.

Reactant

The starting material found on the left side of a chemical equation.

Neutralization

A chemical reaction between an acid and a base ($\text{acid} + \text{base}$).

Oxyanion

An ion containing oxygen atoms.

Law of Conservation of Mass

A law stating that the mass of reactants is equal to the mass of products ($\text{mass of reactants} = \text{mass of products}$).

Diatomic

Molecules consisting of two of the same type of atoms.