Untitled Flashcard Set

element

A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.

atom

The basic unit of a chemical element.

nucleus

The positively charged center of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

proton

A subatomic particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

neutron

A subatomic particle with no charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

electron shell

The region around the nucleus of an atom where electrons are likely to be found.

electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

valence electron(s)

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

electronegative

Refers to an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons.

electropositive

Describes an atom that readily loses electrons to form positive ions.

atomic number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

atomic mass

The weighted average mass of an atom's isotopes, typically expressed in atomic mass units (amu).

molecule/compound

A chemical structure made of two or more atoms bonded together.

polar

Describes a molecule with a distribution of charge leading to a positive and negative pole.

nonpolar

Describes a molecule with an even distribution of electrical charge, having no distinct poles.

polyatomic ion

An ion composed of two or more atoms bonded together that has an overall charge.

chemical bond

The force that holds atoms together in a molecule.

covalent bond

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

ionic bond

A chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

hydrogen bond

A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in the other.

neutral

Describes an atom or molecule with no overall charge.

ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge.

charged

Describes an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge, either positive or negative.