The Language of Chemistry and Chemical Reactions Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from lecture notes covering key chemical terms, symbols, Latin element names, valency definitions, equation types, stoichiometry, and categories of chemical reactions.

Symbol

A short form that stands for an atom of a specific element used for the name of an element.

Valency

A measure of an element's combining capacity with other elements, defined as the number of electrons that an atom can lose, gain, or share during a chemical reaction.

Ion (Radical)

A positively or negatively charged atom or group of atoms which is formed by the loss or gain of electrons by an atom.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an electron is lost from an atom.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an electron is gained by an atom.

Variable Valency

The property shown by certain elements where they exhibit more than one valency as a result of loss of electrons from the penultimate shell.

Suffix "-ous"

A suffix added to the name of a variable-valency element to indicate its lower valency state.

Suffix "-ic"

A suffix added to the name of a variable-valency element to indicate its higher valency state.

Chemical Formula

The symbolic representation of a molecule of a compound or element, also known as the molecular formula.

Simple Radical

A radical made of a single atom (e.g., $\text{Na}^+$ or $\text{Cl}^-$).

Compound Radical

A radical made of a group of two or more different elements (e.g., $\text{CO}_3^{2-}$ or $\text{OH}^-$).

Acidic Radical

An electronegative radical or anion.

Basic Radical

An electropositive radical or cation.

Chemical Equation

The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction using the symbols and formulas of the substances involved.

Word Equation

A chemical equation expressed in words that does not involve balancing.

Skeletal Equation

An unbalanced chemical equation in which the total number of atoms of each element on both sides are not equal.

Balanced Equation

A chemical equation in which the total number of atoms of each element on the two sides are equal.

Law of Conservation of Mass

A fundamental law stating that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

Relative Atomic Mass

The number of times one atom of an element is heavier than $\frac{1}{12}\text{th}$ the mass of an atom of Carbon-12.

Percentage Composition

The mass percentage of an element in a compound, given by $\frac{\text{Mass of element in compound}}{\text{Total mass of compound}} \times 100$.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which energy/heat is released.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction in which energy/heat is absorbed.

Direct Combination Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two or more substances combine to form a single substance, also known as a synthesis reaction.

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a compound splits into two or more simpler substances in the presence of heat, light, or electricity.

Photochemical Decomposition

A decomposition reaction that occurs in the presence of sunlight or light energy.

Electrochemical Decomposition

A decomposition reaction brought about by electric current.

Thermal Decomposition

A decomposition reaction brought about by heat.

Displacement Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a more reactive element displaces a less reactive element from its compound.

Precipitation Reaction

A double decomposition reaction in which an insoluble solid substance is formed by the mutual exchange of radicals between aqueous solutions.

Neutralization Reaction

A chemical reaction between an acid and a base to produce a salt and water.

Aurum

The Latin name for Gold, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Au}$.

Argentum

The Latin name for Silver, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Ag}$.

Hydrargyrum

The Latin name for Mercury, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Hg}$.

Cuprum

The Latin name for Copper, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Cu}$.

Plumbum

The Latin name for Lead, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Pb}$.

Ferrum

The Latin name for Iron, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Fe}$.

Natrium

The Latin name for Sodium, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Na}$.

Kalium

The Latin name for Potassium, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{K}$.

Stannum

The Latin name for Tin, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Sn}$.

Stibium

The Latin name for Antimony, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{Sb}$.

Wolfram

The German/Latin name for Tungsten, represented by the chemical symbol $\text{W}$.