Fundamentals of Matter and Energy

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to matter, energy, atomic structure, and isotopes.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Energy

The capacity to do work or put matter into motion.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion; does work by moving objects.

Potential Energy

Stored energy that has the potential to do work.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds and released during chemical reactions.

Electrical Energy

Energy resulting from the movement of charged particles across cell membranes.

Mechanical Energy

Energy directly involved in moving matter.

Radiant Energy

Energy that travels in waves, such as light and other electromagnetic waves.

Energy Conversion

The process of changing energy from one form to another.

Element

Unique substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Atomic Structure

Composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive charge, weighing 1 atomic mass unit (amu).

Neutron

A subatomic particle with no charge, weighing 1 atomic mass unit (amu).

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge and negligible weight.

Nucleus

The centrally located part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Radioisotopes

Heavy isotopes that decay to more stable forms, releasing energy in the process.

Atomic Number

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

Mass Number

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Atomic Weight

The average of the mass numbers of all isotopes of an element, considering their abundance.