Atoms and Bonding (3)

Flashcards covering key concepts in atomic structure and bonding.

Element

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions.

Periodic Table

A list of elements organized by atomic number; currently there are 118 unique elements.

Atom

The basic building block of all matter; the smallest unit of matter that has the properties of a chemical element.

Subatomic Particles

Particles that make up an atom: protons (positive charge), neutrons (no charge), and electrons (negative charge).

Atomic Mass

The mass of an atom, calculated as the number of protons plus the number of neutrons.

Isotope

Atoms of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic Bond

A type of bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred between atoms.

Covalent Bond

A type of bond formed when two atoms share electrons.

Electronegativity

The attraction for electrons by a nucleus; influences the type of bonds an atom forms.

Redox Reaction

A reaction involving the transfer of electrons or hydrogen atoms; consists of oxidation (loss) and reduction (gain).