Chemical symbol
The abbreviation for each element, with the first letter capitalized and the second letter (if present) lowercase, found on the periodic table
Ion
An atom or molecule with a net positive or negative charge due to losing or gaining electrons
Polyatomic ions
Ions containing two or more atoms. Examples include hydroxide and sulfate
Diatomic elements
Elements that naturally exist as molecules with two atoms, written with a subscript. Examples: H2, N2, O2
Covalent bond
Bond between two atoms sharing electron pairs, typically between nonmetal atoms
Ionic bond
Bond formed by electrostatic attraction between ions, leading to electron transfer
Reactants
Substances consumed in a chemical reaction, written on the left side of the arrow
Products
Substances produced in a chemical reaction, written on the right side of the arrow
Electrostatic attraction
Attraction between charged particles affecting atomic structure and interactions
Mole
Unit to measure particles like atoms and molecules
Molar mass
Mass of one mole of a substance, calculated using atomic masses of atoms present
Chemical Reaction
Process where substances (reactants) change to form different substances (products)
Chemical equation
Symbolic representation of a chemical reaction showing reactants and products
Balanced chemical equation
Equation with proper ratios of reactants and products, same elements on both sides
Stoichiometry
Ratios of reactants and products in a balanced chemical equation, like mole ratio
Law of Conservation of Mass
Mass cannot be created or destroyed.
Half equation
An equation that shows the change that one substance undergoes in a chemical reaction
Acid
A substance that produces an acidic solution in water by releasing more hydrogen ions (H+) than hydroxide ions (OH-)
Alkali
A substance that produces an alkaline solution in water by releasing more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions when dissolved
pH Scale
A scale that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution
Neutralization Reaction
A reaction involving an acid and a base or alkali that results in the formation of a salt and water
Electrolysis
The process of breaking down electrolytes using an electric current to produce free ions attracted to oppositely charged electrodes
Cations
Positively charged ions that move towards the cathode during electrolysis
Anions
Negatively charged ions that move towards the anode during electrolysis
Electroplating
The process of using electrolysis to deposit a thin layer of metal onto another metal object, often used for protection against corrosion or purification purposes
Endothermic reaction
A reaction in which more energy is used to break down the reactants than is used to form the products
Exothermic reaction
A reaction that requires more energy to form products than it uses to break down reactants
Activation energy
The minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to occur
Bond energy
The amount of energy necessary to break one mole of a particular covalent bond
Oxidation-Reduction reaction
A reaction in which electrons are transferred between chemical species
Oxidation
the process of a substance gaining oxygen, or losing electrons, during a chemical reaction
Reduction
the process of a substance losing oxygen, or gaining electrons, during a chemical reaction
Strong acids
Acids that completely dissociate in solution
Weak acids
Acids that only partially dissociate in solution
State symbols
Symbols sometimes included in chemical equations that indicate the physical state of each component
Electricity
The flow of electrons
Oxidation number
The number of electrons an atom loses or gains in order to form a bond with another atom
Complete ionic equation
An equation that shows all the ions involved in a chemical reaction
Net ionic equation
An ionic equation that shows the reacting ions and the resulting precipitate(s), but does not include spectator ions
Spectator ions
Ions present that do not directly participate in the reaction