Particles and equations vocab

Atom

Single unit of an element (single shape)

Particle

Single atom or molecule cluster (any shape or cluster is a particle)

Element

Pure substance made from only ONE type of atom cannot be broken down into simpler substances. (Ex: Na or F2)

Compound

2 + different atoms chemically bonded into a fixed ratio. (ex:H2O or CO2)

Molecule

2 + atoms chemically bonded together. Can be the same type of atom (O2) or different types of atoms (H2O).

Pure substance

Only one type of particle in a container.

Mixture

2 + different substances that are physically mixed, but not chemically bonded. (ex:h2o and CO2 in a container)

Reactant

A starting substance in a chemical reaction, found on the left side of the equation.

Product

A substance formed in a chemical change, found on the right side of the equation.

Coefficient

A small whole number in front of a formula that shows how many molecules or atoms take part.

Subscript

A small number written below and behind an element symbol showing the number of atoms in a molecule.

Yield

The arrow symbol that points from reactants to products.

Law of conservation of mass

The rule stating that mass is never created or destroyed in a reaction.

Balanced Equation

An equation where both sides have an equal number of atoms for each element