Introduction to Chemistry: Matter, Elements, and the Periodic Table

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental chemistry concepts, states of matter, elements, compounds, element symbols, and classifications from the provided lecture notes.

Matter

The material substance of the universe, characterized by having both mass and volume.

Energy

The capacity to do work, often observed as heat, as in processes like burning.

States of Matter

The physical forms in which matter can exist, typically identified as solid, liquid, and gas by chemists.

Plasma

The fourth state of matter, distinct from solid, liquid, and gas.

Light

An example of something that is not considered matter because it does not have mass or volume.

Aristotle's Elements

Ancient philosophical concept positing that all matter is composed of four fundamental substances: Water, Fire, Earth, and Air.

Democritus's Thought Experiment

The conceptual process of repeatedly dividing a substance, suggesting a point where an indivisible particle (atom) would be reached.

Element

A pure substance that consists of only one type of atom.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together in a specific, fixed ratio.

Fixed Ratio

The constant proportion by mass in which elements combine to form a particular compound (e.g., two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen in water).

H2O

The chemical formula for water, indicating two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

H2O2

The chemical formula for hydrogen peroxide.

Element Symbol

A shorthand notation (one or two letters) used to represent a specific element (e.g., C for Carbon, Al for Aluminum).

Symbol Capitalization Rule

The first letter of an element symbol is always capitalized, and any subsequent letter is always lowercase.

Potassium (K)

An element whose symbol K is derived from its obsolete Latin name 'kalium'.

Sodium (Na)

An element whose symbol Na is derived from its Latin name 'natrium'.

Iron (Fe)

An element whose symbol Fe is derived from its Latin name 'ferium'.

CHNOPS

An acronym representing key elements considered essential for life in biology: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

Microminerals

Essential elements required by the body in very small quantities (e.g., cobalt, fluorine).

Diatomic

A chemical term describing molecules composed of two atoms of the same element (e.g., H2, N2, O2).

Air Composition

The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of 78% nitrogen (N2) and 21% oxygen (O2).

Periods (Periodic Table)

The horizontal rows on the periodic table of elements.

Metals

Elements generally characterized by properties such as good electrical and thermal conductivity, and malleability.

Nonmetals

Elements that do not exhibit the characteristic properties of metals, such as poor conductivity.