Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to states of matter, atomic structure, and the periodic table.

Solid

A state of matter with a fixed volume and shape, high density, and particles tightly packed in a fixed and regular pattern that vibrate in position but cannot change location.

Liquid

A state of matter with a fixed volume but adopts the shape of the container, generally less dense than solids but much denser than gases, and particles that move and slide past each other.

Gas

A state of matter without a fixed volume, taking up the shape of the container, having a very low density, and particles far apart moving randomly and quickly.

Melting

The state change when a solid turns into a liquid.

Freezing

The state change when a liquid turns into a solid.

Boiling

The state change when a liquid turns into a gas, forming bubbles of gas inside the liquid at a specific temperature.

Evaporation

The state change when a liquid turns into a gas, occurring only at the surface of liquids over a range of temperatures.

Condensation

The state change when a gas turns into a liquid on cooling.

Sublimation

The state change when a solid directly turns into a gas.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, occurring in gases and liquids.

Element

A substance made up of only one type of atom.

Atom

The basic building block of all matter, made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a relative electrical charge of +1, located in the nucleus.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a relative electrical charge of 0 (neutral), located in the nucleus.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a relative electrical charge of -1, orbiting the nucleus in shells.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that contain a different number of neutrons.

Energy Levels/Shells

Regions around the nucleus where electrons orbit. Each shell has a different amount of energy associated with it.

Electronic Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in shells, represented by numbers separated by commas.

Relative Atomic Mass (Ar)

The average mass of the atoms of an element measured relative to carbon-12.

Groups

Vertical columns on the Periodic Table, numbered from 1-7 and 0, indicating the number of outer electrons.

Periods

Horizontal rows on the Periodic Table, numbered from 1-7, showing the number of energy levels/electron shells an atom has.

Noble Gases

Elements in Group 0 of the Periodic Table, known for having a full outer electron shell and being extremely stable and unreactive.