Chapter 2 - Basic Chemistry

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 2 on Basic Chemistry, including the properties of elements, atoms, and types of chemical bonds.

Element

A substance that cannot be broken down to simpler substances by normal chemical reactions.

Atom

The smallest unit that retains properties of an element.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with no net charge (neutral) found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge that orbits around the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an element’s atoms, which determines the element's identity.

Mass Number

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

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Cation

A positively charged ion that has lost one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion that has gained one or more electrons.

Molecule

A structure composed of two or more atoms bonded together.

Chemical Bond

An energy relationship that holds atoms together in a molecule.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Polar Molecule

A molecule that has uneven distribution of charges, leading to partially positive and negative ends.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond that occurs when a covalently bonded hydrogen atom attracts a weakly negatively charged atom.

Chemical Equation

A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction showing the reactants and products.

Solvent

A substance that dissolves solutes, forming a solution.

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to cling to each other due to hydrogen bonding.

Adhesion

The tendency of water molecules to cling to other polar surfaces.

Heat of Vaporization

The amount of energy needed for water to change from a liquid to a gaseous state.

Density of Water

Water is most dense at 4°C, causing ice to float and insulating bodies of water.