Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules, and Reactions

Flashcards covering key concepts in chemistry, focusing on atoms, molecules, reactions, and properties of materials.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive charge and mass of 1.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with no charge and mass of 1.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge and negligible mass.

Mass Number

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom, always a whole number.

Relative Atomic Mass

An average of the isotopes of an element, accounting for their abundance; not a whole number.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.

Electron Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in the shells of an atom.

Group (of elements)

Vertical columns on the periodic table; elements in the same group have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.

Period (of elements)

Horizontal rows on the periodic table; indicates the number of electron shells an element has.

Halogen

Group 7 elements that exist as diatomic molecules to achieve a full outer shell.

Noble Gas

Group 0 elements that are inert because they have a full outer shell.

Solvent

A liquid in which a solute dissolves.

Solute

The solid that dissolves in a solvent.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of solvent and solute.

Filtration

A method to separate solute from solution using a filter.

Evaporation

The process of turning from liquid into vapor.

Chromatography

A technique used to separate dissolved substances from one another.

RF Value

A ratio used in chromatography; it is the distance traveled by the substance over the distance traveled by the solvent.

Oxidation

A process where an atom loses electrons, resulting in a positive charge.

Reduction

A process where an atom gains electrons, resulting in a negative charge.

Ion

An atom with an overall charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion, typically formed by metals during reactions.

Anion

A negatively charged ion, typically formed by nonmetals during reactions.

Rusting

The process of iron reacting with oxygen and water to form hydrated iron (III) oxide.

Alloy

A mixture of two or more metals or a mixture of metals and non-metals.

Corrosion

The deterioration of metals due to chemical reactions in the environment.

Polymers

Large molecules formed from the joining of many smaller molecules (monomers).