Basic Chemical Principles

What is the basic unit of matter?

An atom is the smallest stable unit of matter.

What are the three main subatomic particles of an atom?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What charge do neutrons have?

Neutrons are electrically neutral and have no charge.

What defines a molecule?

A molecule is formed when atoms interact to produce larger, more complex structures.

What indicates the mass of an atom?

The mass of an atom is primarily determined by the numbers of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

What is the outermost shell of an atom called?

The electron shell.

What is an isotope?

Atoms of a single element that have different numbers of neutrons.

Which subatomic particle varies in different isotopes?

Neutrons.

What is the significance of the element oxygen in the human body?

Oxygen is a component of water and other compounds; gaseous form is essential for respiration.

Which element has the symbol Fe and is important for oxygen transport?

Iron.

What is a cation?

A cation is an ion with a positive charge due to the loss of one or more electrons.

What is the process called when atoms share electrons?

Covalent bonding.

What type of bond is formed through the electrical attraction between cations and anions?

Ionic bonds.

What is a polar molecule?

A molecule with unequal sharing of electrons, resulting in charged portions.

What are the three states of matter?

Solid, liquid, and gas.

What is a hydrogen bond?

An attraction between the small polar charges on hydrogen atoms and negative charges on other polar molecules.

What is the role of kinetic energy in the human body?

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, important for functions like muscle contraction.

What is a decomposition reaction?

A reaction that breaks a molecule into smaller components.

What does a synthesis reaction involve?

Combining smaller molecules or atoms into larger molecules.

What denotes an ion in chemical notation?

A plus or minus sign following the chemical symbol indicates an ion.

What is an example of a polar molecule?

Water (H2O) is an example of a polar molecule.

What occurs during an exchange reaction?

Reactants are shuffled to produce new products.

What is meant by chemical equilibrium?

It's the state when the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal.

What is the significance of trace elements in the body?

Trace elements function in various biochemical processes, though many functions remain poorly understood.