Chemistry Fundamentals and Nuclear Chemistry

Flashcards covering SI units, metric prefixes, measurement precision, significant figure rules, chemical nomenclature, isotopes, and nuclear decay modes based on the lecture notes.

Meter

The SI unit symbol for length, represented by the symbol $m$.

Kilogram

The SI unit for mass, represented by the symbol $kg$.

Second

The SI unit for time, represented by the symbol $s$.

Kelvin

The SI unit for temperature, represented by the symbol $K$.

Mole

The SI unit for the amount of a substance, represented by the symbol $mol$.

Ampere

The SI unit for electric current, represented by the symbol $A$.

Candela

The SI unit for luminous intensity, represented by the symbol $cd$.

Tera (T)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{12}$.

Giga (G)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^9$.

Mega (M)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^6$.

Kilo (k)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^3$.

Centi (c)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-2}$.

Milli (m)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-3}$.

Micro (μ)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-6}$.

Nano (n)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-9}$.

Pico (p)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-12}$.

Femto (f)

Metric prefix representing a factor of $10^{-15}$.

Precision

How close experimental values are to each other, often measured by consistency using mean, median, mode, or standard deviation.

Accuracy

How close experimental values are to a true or accepted value.

Significant Figures Rule: Non-zero digits

Any non-zero digit is considered significant (e.g., $1234$ has four).

Significant Figures Rule: Sandwiched zeros

Zeros located between non-zero digits are significant.

Significant Figures Rule: Leading zeros

Zeros to the left of a decimal (e.g., $0.123$) or to the left of the first non-zero digit (e.g., $0.000123$) are NOT significant.

Significant Figures Rule: Trailing zeros

Zeros to the right of the last non-zero digit are significant if a decimal is present (e.g., $0.123000$), but NOT significant if there is no decimal point (e.g., $100$).

Significant Figures in Addition and Subtraction

The result should use the number with the least number of places after the decimal point.

Significant Figures in Multiplication and Division

The result should use the number with the least number of total significant figures.

Propagation of Error

A rule stating you should round only at the last step of a multi-step calculation.

Cations

Atoms with a positive charge that have lost electrons; they usually originate from metals.

Anions

Atoms with a negative charge that have gained electrons; they usually originate from nonmetals.

Polyatomic Ions

Ions that are made with more than one atom.

Stock System

A system using Roman numerals to represent the charges of transition metals.

Oxyanions

Polyatomic ions that contain a varying number of oxygen atoms.

Hydrates

Chemicals that contain $H_2O$ in their formula, associated with cations/anions in well-defined ways. They require a prefix to indicate the number of $H_2O$ molecules.

Anhydrous

A term describing a substance where no $H_2O$ is present.

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an element.

Mass Number

The total number of nucleons, which includes protons and neutrons.

Atomic Mass Unit (AMU)

A unit of mass defined as $\frac{1}{12}$ the mass of one atom of $C-12$.

Isotopes of Chlorine

Chlorine exists as $^{35}Cl$ ($75.77\%$) and $^{37}Cl$ ($24.23\%$).

Isotopes of Bromine

Bromine exists as $^{79}Br$ ($50.69\%$) and $^{81}Br$ ($49.31\%$).

$\beta^+$ Decay (Positron Emission)

The loss of a positron ($_{+1}e$), which is the antiparticle of an electron.

Electron Capture

An artificial process or decay where an electron is gained, resulting in the net conversion of a proton into a neutron.

$\gamma$ Decay

The loss of a high-energy photon by a nucleus; it results in no change to the atomic or mass number.

Nuclear Fission

An artificial transmutation process initiated by a 'magic bullet' (commonly a neutron) that releases a tremendous amount of energy by splitting a heavy nuclide.

Chain Reaction

An unstable situation in fission where for every one neutron, three are produced, causing the number of particles to grow exponentially.

Nuclear Stability Criteria

Nuclei are predicted to be radioactive if the number of protons $Z > 84$. Nuclei where $Z > 92$ are artificial and not naturally occurring.

Band of Stability Ratios

For small nuclei, a stable configuration is achieved when $\frac{A-Z}{Z} = 1$. For large nuclei, the stable ratio is between $1.2$ and $1.4$.

$\alpha$ Decay

The loss of a helium nucleus, resulting in the ejection of positive particles; typically occurs with heavier nuclei.

$\beta$ Decay (Negatron Emission)

Common for medium-sized nuclides where $\frac{A-Z}{Z}$ is too high; it involves the net conversion of a neutron into a proton and the loss of an electron.

Nuclear Fusion

The process of joining lighter nuclides into a heavier nuclide to achieve stability.