Introductory Inorganic Chemistry - Lecture 1 Vocabulary

Flashcards covering compounds, reactions, and equations from the lecture notes.

Cations

Metals form positive ions.

Anions

Non-metals form negative ions.

Molecule

Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds with no net charge.

Molecular Ion

Held together by covalent bonds, but has a net charge.

-ate

Combinations with oxygen usually have this suffix.

Chemical Reaction

No atoms are created or destroyed; they are just rearranged.

Aqueous

Dissolved in water.

Spectator Ions

Ions that do not participate in the reaction.

Acid

Chemicals containing hydrogen that dissociate in water to produce hydrogen ions, H+(aq).

Base

Reacts with an acid and neutralizes it by reacting with and removing free hydrogen ions.

Alkali

A base that dissociates in water to form a solution containing hydroxide ions, OH–(aq).

Salt

The hydrogen ion of an acid is replaced by another ion.

Synthesis (Combination) Reaction

A reaction where two or more substances combine to form a single product..

Decomposition Reaction

One reactant breaks down to form two or more products.

Neutralization (Acid-Base) Reaction

An ionic reaction in which H+(aq) ions from an acid react with the OH–(aq) ions from an alkali to form water and a salt.

Precipitate

An insoluble solid which separates from the solution

Displacement Reaction

A more reactive element displaces a less reactive one.

Combustion Reaction

Reaction with oxygen, releasing energy (exothermic).

Oxidation

Gain of oxygen (or loss of hydrogen).

Reduction

Loss of oxygen (or gain of hydrogen).

REDOX Reactions

Reactions involving simultaneous reduction and oxidation.