Chemistry Learning Outcomes

Vocabulary flashcards to review key concepts from the chemistry notes.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Element

The smallest substance that cannot be further broken down.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more elements combine in a fixed ratio.

Goiter

An enlargement of the thyroid gland, often due to iodine deficiency.

Atomic number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Ionic bond

An attraction between two ions with opposite charges.

Covalent bond

A bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction between polar molecules, such as water.

Polarity

A property of molecules with a positive and negative end (partial charges).

Evaporative cooling

The process by which water absorbs heat from the environment as it evaporates, cooling the surrounding area.

Hydrogen bonds in water

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water’s unique properties, such as cohesion and lower density in ice.

Solvent of life

Water's ability to dissolve many substances, facilitating chemical reactions in biological systems.

Valence shell

The outermost energy level of an atom, containing the electrons involved in chemical bonding.

Reactive elements

Elements with incomplete valence shells that tend to react with other elements.

Inert elements

Elements with complete valence shells that do not readily react with other substances.