CH 2 pt 2 - Basic Chemistry: Covalent Bonds and Chemical Reactions (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, and chemical reactions from the lecture notes.

Covalent bond

Bond formed by sharing electrons between atoms; can be single, double, or triple depending on the number of shared electron pairs.

Single covalent bond

Bond formed by sharing one pair of electrons between two atoms; e.g., the C–H bonds in CH4.

Double covalent bond

Bond formed by sharing two pairs of electrons between two atoms; e.g., O=O in O2.

Triple covalent bond

Bond formed by sharing three pairs of electrons between two atoms; e.g., N≡N in N2.

Nonpolar covalent bond

Covalent bond with equal sharing of electrons; results in no permanent dipole (example CO2).

Polar covalent bond

Covalent bond with unequal sharing of electrons; results in partial charges (example H2O).

Nonpolar molecule

Molecule with no permanent dipole due to equal sharing of electrons in its bonds.

Polar molecule

Molecule with an uneven distribution of charge due to polar covalent bonds.

Electronegativity

Attraction of a given atom for electrons in a bond; higher for highly electronegative atoms like oxygen.

Electropositive

Atoms that tend to lose electrons; lower electronegativity (example hydrogen).

Hydrogen bond

Intermolecular attraction between a hydrogen atom in one molecule and an electronegative atom in another molecule; occurs between molecules, not within a single molecule.

Molecular formula

Notation showing the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule; used in chemical equations.

Chemical reaction

Process where bonds are formed, rearranged, or broken; represented by a chemical equation.

Reactant

Substances that participate in a chemical reaction at the start.

Product

Substances produced by a chemical reaction.

Synthesis (anabolic) reaction

A + B → AB; bonds formed; smaller units combine to form larger, more complex molecules.

Decomposition (catabolic) reaction

AB → A + B; bonds broken; large molecules break into smaller pieces.

Exchange (displacement) reaction

AB + C → AC + B; bonds are both made and broken; also called displacement reactions.

ATP phosphate transfer (phosphorylation)

ATP donates a phosphate group to another molecule (e.g., glucose) forming a phosphorylated product; example of an exchange reaction.

Exergonic reaction

Releases energy; often associated with catabolic processes.

Endergonic reaction

Requires energy input; products have higher potential energy than reactants; often anabolic.

Catabolic reaction

Reactions that break down large molecules into smaller ones; energy is released (exergonic).

Anabolic reaction

Reactions that build larger molecules from smaller ones; energy is required (endergonic).

Catalyst

Substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed; many are enzymes.

Enzyme

Biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Free radical

Molecule with one or more unpaired electrons; highly reactive and can damage other molecules.

Antioxidant

Molecule that neutralizes free radicals; examples include vitamins C and E; found in fruits and vegetables.