Importance of Science, Matter, and Energy

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key definitions and concepts regarding matter, atomic structure, chemical/nuclear changes, and energy from the lecture notes.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Element

A fundamental type of matter that has a unique set of properties and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Compound

A combination of two or more different elements held together in fixed proportions.

Atom

The most basic building block of matter, and the smallest unit of matter into which an element can be divided and still have its characteristic chemical properties.

Atomic Theory

The scientific idea that all elements are made up of atoms.

Neutron

A subatomic particle ($n$) with no electrical charge, located within the nucleus of an atom.

Proton

A subatomic particle ($p$) with a positive electrical charge ($+$), located within the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A subatomic particle ($e$) with a negative electrical charge ($-$), orbiting the nucleus of an atom.

Parts of an Atom

The structural components of an atom consisting of a central nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by orbiting electrons.

Molecule

A combination of two or more atoms of the same or different elements held together by chemical bonds, serving as the basic building blocks of many compounds.

Ion

An atom or a group of atoms with one or more net positive or negative electrical charges.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when a neutral atom undergoes a loss of one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when a neutral atom undergoes a gain of one or more electrons.

Physical Change

A change in matter where there is no change in its chemical composition, such as liquid water boiling into water vapor ($H_2O$).

Chemical Change

A change in matter in which there is a change in the chemical composition of the substances involved.

Nuclear Change

A process in which matter undergoes changes in its atomic nuclei through radioactive decay, nuclear fission, or nuclear fusion.

Nuclear Fusion

A nuclear change where light nuclei (such as Deuterium and Tritium) combine to form a heavier nucleus (Helium), releasing a neutron and energy.

Nuclear Fission

A nuclear change where a heavy nucleus is split into smaller nuclear fragments after being struck by a neutron, releasing additional neutrons.

Law of Conservation of Matter

A fundamental law stating that whenever matter undergoes a physical or chemical change, no atoms are created or destroyed.

Kinetic Energy

The type of energy associated with motion, also referred to as moving energy.

Potential Energy

The type of energy that is stored and available for use based on position or structure.

Energy Sources

Various natural and harnessed sources of energy including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal, and biomass energy.

Forms of Energy

The major manifestations of energy, which include mechanical, thermal, electrical, electromagnetic, chemical, and nuclear energy.