The Alphabets of Chemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic chemistry terminology, atomic theory, radicals, and relative mass units based on the introductory lecture transcript.

Chemistry

The branch of science which deals with the study of matter, its composition, its properties and the changes which it undergo.

Science

Systematized knowledge gained by mankind through observations and experimentation.

Matter

Anything which has mass and occupies volume.

Element

Simple form of matter which cannot be decomposed into simpler substance.

Compound

A substance produced by union of two or more elements in a definite proportion that can be decomposed into two or more simple substances.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element which can take part in chemical reaction and may or may not be capable of independent existence.

One atomic mass unit (1 amu)

A unit of atomic mass selected as one-twelfth ($\frac{1}{12}$) of the mass of a carbon atom ($^{12}C$ isotope).

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that may have different masses, such as Chlorine having isotopes $^{35}Cl$ and $^{37}Cl$ occurring in a $3:1$ ratio.

Radical

An atom or group of atoms that react as single atom and keep their identity in many reactions.

Simple radical

A radical consisting of atoms only, such as Sodium or Potassium.

Compound radical

A radical consisting of a group of two or more different atoms, such as Nitrate or Sulphate.

Basic Radical

In a salt molecule produced by neutralization, the radical contributed by the base (e.g., Sodium from Sodium hydroxide).

Acid Radical

In a salt molecule produced by neutralization, the radical contributed by the acid (e.g., Chloride from Hydrochloric acid).

Symbol

The abbreviations used for the lengthy names of elements.

Atomic mass (Definition)

The average mass of an atom of an element as compared to the mass of an atom of $^{12}C$ taken as 12.

Atomic mass (Formula)

$$\text{Atomic mass} = \frac{\text{Mass of an atom}}{\frac{1}{12} \text{th of mass of carbon atom } (^{12}C)}$$

Molecule

The smallest particle of matter which is capable of independent existence.

Molecular mass

The relative mass of the molecule of an element or compound as compared with that of carbon atom ($^{12}C$ isotope) taken as $12,amu$.

Average atomic mass of Chlorine

$$\frac{35 \times 3 + 37 \times 1}{3 + 1} = 35.5,amu$$