Year 10 VCE Prep Science Mid-Year Exam Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Reactions, Kinematics, Newton's Laws, and Energy based on the VCE Prep Science Mid-Year Exam Study Guide.

Atom

The fundamental structural unit of all matter, composed of a dense central nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by an electron cloud organized into discrete energy levels.

Protons

Positively charged particles with a charge of $+1$ and a relative mass of $1$, located inside the nucleus.

Neutrons

Uncharged neutral particles ($0$) with a relative mass of $1$, residing within the nucleus to stabilize it against electrostatic repulsion.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles with a charge of $-1$ and a negligible relative mass of approximately $\sim 1/1840$, localized in fields orbiting the nucleus.

Atomic Number ($Z$)

Specifies the exact number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which dictates the chemical identity of the element.

Mass Number ($A$)

Represents the cumulative sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus: $A = \text{protons} + \text{neutrons}$.

Isotopes

Variations of an element with an identical number of protons ($Z$) but varying quantities of neutrons, resulting in different physical mass values.

Electronic Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in shells; the maximum capacity of a shell is given by $2n^2$, with a stable threshold of $2, 8, 8, 2$ for the first $20$ elements.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the absolute outermost uncompleted energy shell that dictate reactivity, bonding, and group dynamics.

Groups

Vertical columns on the periodic table that match the count of outer valence electrons.

Alkali Metals

Group $1$ elements which are highly unstable and aggressively reactive with water.

Halogens

Group $17$ elements which are highly reactive non-metals.

Noble Gases

Group $18$ elements which are highly stable and inert due to fully satisfied outer valence configurations.

Periods

Horizontal rows on the periodic table documenting the total number of physical electron shells occupied by electrons.

Ionic Bonding

Formed when a metal transfers valence electrons to a non-metal, held together by multi-directional electrostatic forces in a crystalline lattice.

Covalent Bonding

Forms between non-metal atoms sharing mutual valence electron pairs to reach stable outer octets.

Metallic Bonding

Occurs when valence electrons decouple to form a mobile sea of delocalized electrons weaving through a fixed structural lattice of positive metal ions.

Law of Conservation of Mass

States that matter cannot be created or destroyed; the mass of reactants must identically mirror the mass of the products.

Synthesis (Combination)

A chemical progression format following the general equation: $A + B \rightarrow AB$.

Decomposition

A chemical progression format following the general equation: $AB \rightarrow A + B$.

Single Displacement

A chemical progression format following the general equation: $A + BC \rightarrow AC + B$.

Double Displacement

A chemical progression format following the general equation: $AB + CD \rightarrow AD + CB$.

Combustion

The reaction of a fuel with oxygen: $\text{Fuel} + \text{Oxygen} \rightarrow \text{Carbon Dioxide} + \text{Water} + \text{Energy}$.

Acid-Base Neutralisation

The reaction: $\text{Acid} + \text{Base} \rightarrow \text{Salt} + \text{Water}$.

Scalar Quantities

Physical metrics defined by magnitude alone, such as Distance ($d$), Speed ($s$), Mass ($m$), and Time ($t$).

Vector Quantities

Physical metrics requiring magnitude and directional orientation, such as Displacement ($s$ or $x$), Velocity ($v$), Acceleration ($a$), and Force ($F$).

Average Speed

Calculated as distance divided by time: $s = \frac{d}{t}$.

Average Velocity

Calculated as displacement divided by time: $v = \frac{s}{t}$.

Velocity Scale Conversion ($km/h$ to $m/s$)

To translate from $\text{km/h}$ to $\text{m/s}$, divide the value by $3.6$.

Acceleration

The time-based rate of change of an object's velocity: $a = \frac{v - u}{t}$, expressed in $\text{m/s}^2$.

Displacement-Time Graph Gradient

The instantaneous slope of a displacement-time graph, which equates to velocity.

Velocity-Time Graph Area

The total physical area under the curve line which quantifies the aggregate displacement.

Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia)

An object maintains a state of rest or constant linear velocity unless acted upon by a net external, unbalanced physical force.

Newton’s Second Law

The net acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass: $F = m \times a$.

Newton’s Third Law

For every action, there is an equal in magnitude and opposite in direction reaction.

Work ($W$)

Executed when an applied force shifts an object over a distance: $W = F \times d$, measured in Joules ($J$).

Power ($P$)

The time-rate at which work is performed or energy is converted: $P = \frac{W}{t}$, expressed in Watts ($W$).

Kinetic Energy ($E_k$)

Active energy possessed by an object due to its motion: $E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$.

Gravitational Potential Energy ($E_p$)

Stored energy relative to height in a gravitational field: $E_p = mgh$, where $g = 9.8\,m/s^2$.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it only shifts forms or transfers between structures, staying constant in a closed framework.

Energy Efficiency (%)

A numerical rating calculated as: $\text{Efficiency (\%)} = (\frac{\text{Useful Energy Output}}{\text{Total Energy Input}}) \times 100$.