Introduction to Chemistry

A series of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in chemistry introduced in the lecture notes.

Chemistry

The science that describes matter and its chemical and physical properties.

Periodic Table

A table of chemical elements organized by their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties.

Sodium Chloride

A compound formed from the reaction of sodium and chlorine, commonly known as table salt.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties.

Inorganic Chemistry

The study of compounds that do not primarily contain carbon.

Matter

Anything that takes up space and has mass.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element.

Ion

An atom or molecule that has a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Molecule

A group of atoms bonded together representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

Compound

A pure substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together.

Chemical Properties

Properties that can only be observed during a chemical reaction, resulting in a change to the substance's chemical identity.

Physical Properties

Observable properties that do not change the chemical nature of a substance.

Exothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases heat.

Endothermic Reaction

A chemical reaction that absorbs heat.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

pH Scale

A scale that measures how acidic or basic a solution is, typically ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic).

Acid

A substance that donates protons or hydrogen ions and increases the hydronium ion concentration in a solution.

Base

A substance that accepts protons or hydrogen ions and increases the hydroxide ion concentration in a solution.

Soluble

Able to dissolve in a solvent.

Insoluble

Incapable of being dissolved in a solvent.