Periodic Table, Ions, Isotopes, and Atomic History Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the periodic table structure, subatomic particle definitions, isotope and ion properties, conservation of matter, and key historical models of the atom.

Alkali Metals

The elements located in Group 1 of the periodic table.

Alkaline Earth Metals

The elements located in Group 2 of the periodic table.

Transition Metals

The elements located in Groups 3-12 of the periodic table.

Halogens

The elements located in Group 17 of the periodic table.

Noble Gases

The elements located in Group 18 of the periodic table.

Groups / Families

The vertical columns (↕) on the periodic table.

Periods

The horizontal rows (↔) on the periodic table.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons, resulting in a different atomic mass.

Ions

Charged elements formed when an atom gains or loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass

The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus ($\text{Mass} = \text{Protons} + \text{Neutrons}$).

Charge

The electrical charge of an atom determined by subtracting electrons from protons ($\text{Charge} = \text{Protons} - \text{Electrons}$).

Average Atomic Mass

The weighted average mass of a collection of multiple naturally occurring isotopes of an element based on their relative abundances.

Law of Conservation of Matter

The principle stating that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only rearranged (associated with LaVoisier, who died in 1794).