Carbon and Functional Groups in College Physics

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to carbon and functional groups as discussed in the College Physics lecture.

Carbon

The backbone of life, essential for forming complex molecules.

Organic chemistry

The study of carbon compounds, including hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

Electron configuration

Determines the kinds and number of bonds an atom can form.

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting only of carbon and hydrogen, often nonpolar.

Tetrahedral geometry

The shape formed when a carbon atom bonds to four other atoms.

Isomers

Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures and properties.

Functional groups

Groups of atoms that confer specific properties to organic molecules.

Dehydration reaction

A reaction where two monomers bond through the removal of a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking down polymers by adding water.

Macromolecules

Large biological molecules including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Polymers

Long molecules made from many similar building blocks called monomers.

Enantiomers

Isomers that are mirror images of each other.

Valence electrons

Electrons in the outer shell that determine atoms' bonding characteristics.

Cis and trans isomers

Isomers with the same covalent bonds but different spatial arrangements.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy-transferring molecule in cells.