Basic Chemistry: Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding

Flashcards covering fundamental concepts of atomic structure and chemical bonding, including definitions and key principles.

What is the atomic number (Z)?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.

How is atomic mass (A) calculated?

Atomic mass is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

What is the electronic configuration for magnesium?

The electronic configuration for magnesium is 2, 8, 2.

What does the valence shell refer to?

The valence shell is the outermost filled shell of an atom.

Define valence electron.

Valence electrons are the number of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.

What does valency indicate?

Valency indicates the number of electrons required to stabilize the atom.

What is the octet rule?

The octet rule states that atoms must have 8 electrons in their outermost shell for stability.

What is covalent bonding?

Covalent bonding occurs when electrons are shared between non-metal atoms to form molecules.

What happens in ionic bonding?

In ionic bonding, electrons are transferred between metals and non-metals, resulting in cations and anions.

What charge does sodium (Na) have after losing one electron?

Sodium (Na) loses one electron to become Na+.

What charge does chlorine (Cl) have after gaining one electron?

Chlorine (Cl) gains one electron to become Cl-.

How does the group number relate to valence electrons?

The group number indicates the number of valence electrons in an atom.

What is a single covalent bond?

A single covalent bond is formed when one pair of electrons is shared between two atoms.

How many filled shells determine the period number of an element?

The period number is determined by the number of filled electron shells in an atom.