Elements and the Periodic Table Vocabulary (Chapter 1)

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to elements and the periodic table, including definitions and important concepts.

Atom

The basic unit of a chemical element.

Isotope

An atom of the same element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Atomic number

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

Mass number

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

Chemical property

A characteristic of a substance that can only be observed during a chemical reaction.

Monatomic

An element that consists of only one atom.

Compound

A substance formed from two or more different types of atoms.

Neutron

A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom with no electric charge.

Nucleus

The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.

Electron shell

The region around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found.

Diatomic

A molecule composed of two atoms.

Physical property

A characteristic of a substance that can be observed without changing its composition.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle found in electron shells.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Relative atomic mass

The mass of an atom relative to the mass of carbon-12.

Ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons.

Subatomic particle

Particles that are smaller than atoms, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Aufbau’s principle

The principle that electrons occupy the lowest energy orbital available.

Orbital

A region of space around the nucleus where an electron is likely to be found.

Bohr model

A model of the atom that depicts electrons traveling in circular orbits around the nucleus.

Subshell

A subdivision of an electron shell containing one or more orbitals.

Emission spectrum

The spectrum of light emitted by a substance when its electrons transition from a higher to a lower energy state.

Valence electron

An electron found in the outermost shell of an atom.

Excited state

A state in which an electron has absorbed energy and moved to a higher energy level.

Valence shell

The outermost shell of an atom.

Ground state

The lowest energy state of an atom.

Hund’s rule

The rule stating that electrons will occupy degenerate orbitals singly before pairing.

Atomic radius

The distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron shell.

Core charge

The effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons.

Electronegativity

The ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Electrostatic force of attraction

The force that attracts oppositely charged particles.

First ionisation energy

The energy required to remove the outermost electron from a neutral atom.

Ionisation energy

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

Metallic character

The set of properties associated with metals, including conductivity and malleability.

The ability of a metal to lose its valence electron and display common metallic properties

Boiling point

The temperature at which a substance changes from liquid to gas.

Melting point

The temperature at which a substance changes from solid to liquid.

Circular economy

An economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources.

an economy that functions on a continuous cycle with a focus on optimising the re-use of resources and materials

Ore

A naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted.

a deposit within Earth’s crust that contains one or more valuable minerals, typically with a high concentration of a certain element (particularly metals)

Critical element

a chemical element essential to the economic or national security of a nation and vulnerable to disruption of supply

Slag

A byproduct of the smelting process during metal production.

a silicon dioxide and metal oxide mixture that is left over as a by-product from smelting

Cryogenics

The production and effects of substances at very low temperatures.

Smelting

A process of extracting metal from its ore by using heat and a chemical reducing agent.

the process of heating and melting an ore to extract a metal