General Chemistry - Periodic Table and Properties

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the periodic table and properties of elements in general chemistry.

Periodic Table

A table that organizes elements by increasing atomic number and their properties.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom that determine its chemical properties.

Metals

Elements that are typically shiny, malleable, ductile, and good conductors of electricity and heat.

Nonmetals

Elements that are usually gases or brittle solids at room temperature and are poor conductors of heat and electricity.

Metalloids

Elements that have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electronegativity

A measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.

Effective Nuclear Charge

The net positive charge experienced by valence electrons, taking into account the shielding effect.

Atomic Radius

The size of an atom, typically measured from the nucleus to the outermost shell of electrons.

Ionic Radius

The size of an ion; typically smaller than the corresponding atomic radius for cations and larger for anions.

Electron Affinity

The energy change that occurs when an electron is added to a neutral atom.

Electron Configuration

The distribution of electrons among the orbitals of an atom.

Alkali Metals

Highly reactive metals in group 1 of the periodic table.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Reactive metals in group 2 of the periodic table.

Halogens

Reactive nonmetals in group 17 of the periodic table.

Noble Gases

Inert gases in group 18 of the periodic table with very low reactivity.

Transition Metals

Elements that gradually fill the d orbital and often exhibit multiple oxidation states and colored compounds.

Core Electrons

Electrons in an atom that are not involved in bonding and shield valence electrons from the nucleus.

Periodic Trends

Trends in elemental properties such as electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic radius that vary predictably across the periodic table.