Biological Chemistry and Atomic Properties

Flashcards covering atomic bonding, electronegativity, isotopes, molecular formulas, and chemical properties based on the August 14th, 2026 lecture.

What does the ability of an atom to bond with other atoms directly depend on?

Electronegativity

Why is electronegativity important for ionic bonding?

Because it results in the formation of two ions.

What term refers to the number of electrons in the outermost shell and the resulting ability of an atom to bond with others?

Chemical Properties

Why would an atom not bond to another atom?

It is stable, meaning its outermost shell is full.

What is the name of the group on the right of the periodic table that does not interact with anything?

Noble gases

If one atom has an electronegativity of $1$ and another has an electronegativity of $4$, what type of bond holds them together?

Ionic bonding, because the difference of $3$ is greater than $1.7$.

What type of bond is formed between two atoms that both have an electronegativity of $3.5$?

Non-polar covalent bond

If an element has an atomic number of $8$, what is its valence?

$$+2$$

Which of the following chemical bonds is the weakest: Single covalent, Double covalent, Ionic, Hydrogen, or Van Der Waals?

Van der Waals

True or False: $\text{Carbon}^{12}$, $\text{Carbon}^{13}$, and $\text{Carbon}^{14}$ each react differently with oxygen.

False, because they are isotopes of the same element with the same electron configuration and chemical properties.

True or False: $\text{Carbon}^{12}$, $\text{Carbon}^{13}$, and $\text{Carbon}^{14}$ all have the same atomic weight.

False

True or False: $\text{Carbon}^{12}$, $\text{Carbon}^{13}$, and $\text{Carbon}^{14}$ all have the same number of neutrons.

False

True or False: $\text{Carbon}^{12}$, $\text{Carbon}^{13}$, and $\text{Carbon}^{14}$ are all radioactive and can change into another element.

False, only $\text{Carbon}^{14}$ is radioactive and can change.

Is $CH_4$ a structural formula or a molecular formula?

Molecular formula

Is $CH_4$ an example of an elemental substance?

No, it is a compound held together by covalent bonds.

What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the “M” energy shell?

$$8$$

What is the term for a substance that consists of only one type of atom?

Element

Atoms of the same element always have the same number of which subatomic particle?

Protons

What is a substance called that consists of two or more different atoms in a specific ratio held together by covalent bonds?

A molecule

What are atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons called?

Isotopes

True or False: The ability to use oxygen is a characteristic of all life on Earth.

False

If the half-life of a radioactive element is $100$ years and a sample contains $5$ grams of parent and $15$ grams of daughter, how old is the sample?

$200$ years old

What are compounds held together by ionic bonds called?

Salts

What are compounds held together by covalent bonds called?

Molecules (molecular compounds)

What approach to understanding how matter works involves the concept of emergent properties?

Emergency properties

What is the philosophical approach to understanding how things work by looking at the whole rather than just a single part?

Holism

True or False: If two atoms have an electronegativity difference of $1$, the bond holding them would be ionic.

False, it must be over $1.7$ to be ionic.

True or False: Boron is less electronegative than oxygen.

False, Boron is the most electronegative element in the periodic table according to the notes.

What is the value of oxygen on the Pauling scale for electronegativity?

$$3.5$$

True or False: Double covalent bonds are stronger than triple covalent bonds.

False

What is an exoplanet?

Any planet outside our solar system.

What are the molecules that we associate with life on our planet called?

Bio-signatures