Chapter 1-3 Chemistry and Nuclear Concepts (Notes)

Flashcards cover drop factors, measurement concepts, states of matter, properties and changes, matter classifications, periodic table basics, atomic structure, periodic trends, and radioactivity.

What is used to determine IV drip rates and what factors affect it?

Drop factor (gtt/mL); drop factors vary with the diameter of IV tubing.

Define accuracy

How close measurements are to the true value; depends on proper instrument calibration.

Define precision

How close measurements are to one another; depends on careful measurement technique.

What is Dimension Analysis primarily used for?

A tool to solve calculation problems using units; units can be multiplied, divided, and canceled like algebraic quantities.

Why should every number be written with its unit in calculations?

To ensure units flow logically and to prevent errors in cancellation or combination.

Is water considered matter?

Yes. Water occupies space and has volume.

Is wind considered matter?

No. Wind is energy/motion, not matter.

Is burning wood a physical or chemical change?

Chemical change.

Is a substance’s freezing point a physical or chemical property?

Physical property.

What is a physical property?

A characteristic describing matter that does not involve changing the chemical composition.

What is a chemical property/change?

Characteristics describing how the structure changes during a chemical reaction (e.g., burning).

What is a substance?

Any sample of matter with the same physical and chemical properties throughout (pure).

What is an element?

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances; listed on the periodic table.

What is a compound?

Pure substance made of two or more elements in definite proportions; different properties than its elements; cannot be separated by physical means.

Can compounds be separated by physical means?

No; they require chemical separation.

What is a mixture?

Composed of two or more substances with no definite proportions; can be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

What is a homogeneous mixture?

Uniform composition throughout.

What is a heterogeneous mixture?

Non-uniform composition.

Can mixtures be separated by physical means?

Yes.

What are the solids’ basic properties?

Fixed volume and fixed shape.

What are the liquids’ basic properties?

Fixed volume; no fixed shape; take the shape of their container and flow.

What are three major groups of metals with distinct properties?

Metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

What are the common metal properties?

Shiny, high melting points; ductile; malleable; good conductors of heat and electricity.

What are common nonmetal properties?

Dull, low melting points; brittle; poor conductors.

What are metalloids?

Elements with properties between metals and nonmetals.

Who first organized elements into a periodic system by properties (earlier version)?

Dmitri Mendeleev (historically spelled Medeleev in notes).

How is the Modern Periodic Table arranged?

In order of increasing atomic number (Z).

What is a group (family) in the periodic table?

Elements in the same column that share chemical properties.

What is a period in the periodic table?

A horizontal row; elements in the same period have a regular variation in properties.

Name the key periodic families you should know.

Alkali metals (Group 1), Alkaline earth metals (Group 2), Transition metals (Groups 3-12), Halogens (Group 17), Noble gases (Group 18).

What is the outermost shell of an atom called and why is it important?

Valence shell; valence electrons in this shell determine chemical properties.

What does the group number represent in terms of valence electrons?

The number of valence electrons for main-group elements.

What is the octet rule?

The typical maximum number of valence electrons is 8.

What is atomic number Z?

The number of protons; defines the identity of the element; electrons balance protons.

What is mass number A?

Protons plus neutrons; determines isotope mass.

What are isotopes?

Atoms of the same element (same number of protons) with different numbers of neutrons.

What does atomic mass on the periodic table represent?

A weighted average mass of naturally occurring isotopes.

How does moving down a group affect atomic structure?

Valence electrons and shells are found farther from the nucleus (more shells).

How does moving across a period affect atomic structure?

Valence electrons increase with group; shells largely stay the same while protons increase.

What is electronegativity?

Measure of an atom’s ability to attract electrons.

What is ionization energy?

Measure of how strongly the valence electrons are attracted to the nucleus.

What is radioactivity?

Emission of particles from unstable nuclei to form a more stable nucleus.

What are the common forms of radioactivity?

Alpha particles, Beta particles, Gamma radiation, Positron emission/electron capture, Nuclear fission.

Describe alpha decay.

Two protons and two neutrons; carries a +2 charge; mass and atomic numbers balance.

Describe beta decay.

An electron emitted from the nucleus; carries a -1 charge and has little mass; mass and atomic numbers balance.

Describe gamma decay.

Electromagnetic radiation (energy) with no mass or charge; often emitted with other radiation; nucleus identity unchanged; m indicates excited state.

Can gamma rays be emitted along with other radiation?

Yes.

What does electrolysis of water produce?

Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas; hydrogen can be used as a fuel; oxygen supports burning.