Basic Chemistry

What is Matter?

Matter is everything around us that takes up space and has weight, found in four forms: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

What is an Element?

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances, made of only one type of atom.

What are the six important elements known as CHNOPS?

The six important elements that make up most living things: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

What is an Atom?

An atom is the smallest part of an element that retains the properties of that element.

What is the Atomic Number?

The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

What is the Mass Number?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

What are Isotopes?

Isotopes are different versions of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

What are Electrons?

Electrons are negatively charged particles that move around the nucleus of the atom in energy shells.

What is the Valence Shell?

The valence shell is the outermost electron shell of an atom, involved in chemical bonding.

What is the difference between a Molecule and a Compound?

A molecule consists of two or more atoms joined together, while a compound is a molecule made from two or more different elements.

What are Ionic Bonds?

Ionic bonds occur when one atom donates an electron to another, creating charged ions that attract each other.

What are Covalent Bonds?

Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons to achieve full outer shells.

What is a Polar Covalent Bond?

A polar covalent bond occurs when electrons are shared unequally between atoms, resulting in slight charges.

What are Hydrogen Bonds?

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between a slightly positive hydrogen atom in one molecule and a slightly negative atom in another.

What are the Special Properties of Water?

Water has high heat capacity, is a good solvent, shows cohesion and adhesion, and ice is less dense than water.

What does the pH scale measure?

The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14.

What is a Buffer?

A buffer is a substance that maintains a solution's pH by neutralizing acids and bases.