Periodic Table and Chemical Equations Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about the periodic table and chemical equations.

Atoms

Particles that make up all substances in the universe; the building blocks of all matter.

Protons

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Element

A pure substance made up of only one type of atom.

Nucleus

The center of the atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Mass Number

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which also equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Electron Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in the shells or energy levels around the nucleus of an atom.

Electron Shells

Areas around the nucleus where electrons orbit.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in an electrical charge.

Anion

A negatively charged ion, formed when an atom gains electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion, formed when an atom loses electrons.

Isotopes

Different forms of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Radioactive Isotopes

Unstable isotopes that decay, releasing electromagnetic waves or particles.

Groups

Vertical columns in the periodic table, numbered 1-18.

Periods

Horizontal rows in the periodic table, numbered 1-7.

Alkali Metals

Elements in Group 1 of the periodic table (excluding hydrogen); highly reactive metals with 1 valence electron.

Alkaline Earth Metals

Elements in Group 2 of the periodic table; reactive metals with 2 valence electrons.

Transition Metals

Elements in the middle of the periodic table; good conductors of heat and electricity.

Halogens

Elements in Group 17 of the periodic table; highly reactive non-metals with 7 valence electrons.

Noble Gases

Elements in Group 18 of the periodic table; unreactive gases with no valence electrons.

Ionization Energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Electronegativity

A measure of how well an atom can attract electrons to itself.

Chemical Reaction

When atoms are rearranged to create new substances.

Reactants

The substances present before a chemical reaction.

Products

The substances formed after a chemical reaction.

Exothermic Reactions

Reactions that release energy in the form of heat or light.

Endothermic Reactions

Reactions that absorb energy.

Chemical Bond

The force of attraction holding atoms together.