Section 2.1: The Nature of Matter Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering subatomic particles, elements, compounds, chemical bonding, and isotopes from Section 2.1: The Nature of Matter.

Matter

Anything that has mass and volume.

Chemistry

The study of matter and its changes.

Element

A substance made of atoms that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, organized on the periodic table by number of protons.

Compound

A substance made up of atoms of different elements chemically combined, having properties different from the elements that make it.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle located inside the nucleus.

Neutron

A neutrally charged subatomic particle located inside the nucleus.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle located outside the nucleus.

Atomic Number

A value equal to the number of protons and the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Atomic Mass

A value equal to the sum of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Coefficient

A number placed before a chemical formula indicating the number of molecules (e.g., the $5$ in $5\text{Al}_2(\text{SO}_4)_3$).

Subscript

A small number written to the right of an element symbol indicating the number of atoms of that element.

Chemical Formula

A representation that specifies what type of atoms and how many atoms are contained in a substance (e.g., $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$ for rust).

Covalent Bond

A bond between non-metals where atoms share electrons to become stable.

Ionic Bond

A bond between a metal and a non-metal where electrons are transferred to become stable.

Vandal waals forces

An attraction between oppositely charged molecules that forms a weaker bond than ionic and covalent bonds.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons, making them heavier.

Protium

The isotope of hydrogen ($^1_1\text{H}$) consisting of $1$ proton, $1$ electron, and $0$ neutrons.

Deuterium

The isotope of hydrogen ($^2_1\text{H}$) consisting of $1$ proton, $1$ electron, and $1$ neutron.

Tritium

The isotope of hydrogen ($^3_1\text{H}$) consisting of $1$ proton, $1$ electron, and $2$ neutrons.

Metalloid

An element, such as Germanium ($\text{Ge}$), that exhibits properties intermediate between metals and non-metals.