Classification of Chemicals: Salts, Molecules, Acids, and Bases

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lesson on salts, molecules, acids, bases, and solubility in water.

Salt (ionic compound)

An ionic compound that typically contains a metal ion and/or polyatomic ion; examples include CuCl2 and NH4OH.

Molecule (covalent compound)

A compound formed by covalent bonds between nonmetal atoms; examples include Br2 and CH4.

Acid

A substance that begins with H in its formula and often donates protons in solution (e.g., HCl).

Base

A substance that ends with OH in its formula and typically produces OH− in solution (e.g., NaOH, Ca(OH)2).

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

An acid that begins with H; example of a simple binary acid.

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)

A base that ends with OH; a common strong base.

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)

A base containing hydroxide ions; example of a base.

Aqueous (aq)

Describes a substance dissolved in water; an aqueous solution.

Soluble

Capable of dissolving in water to form an aqueous solution.

Insoluble

Not able to dissolve in water; remains a solid.

Alkali metal ion (Group 1)

A metal cation (Li+, Na+, K+, etc.) that often makes salts soluble in water.

Ammonium ion (NH4+)

A polyatomic cation derived from ammonia; common in salts that dissolve in water.

Nitrate ion (NO3−)

A polyatomic anion; nitrates are typically soluble in water.

Covalent substances

Substances with covalent bonds between nonmetals; they do not always dissociate into ions in water.

Ionic compounds in water

Ionic compounds that dissolve in water to yield ions; solubility rules apply.