Chapter 2: Introduction to the Chemistry of Life Flashcards
an element’s smallest component or building block
atom
the number of protons in an atom
atomic number
are made up of different types of atoms held together by chemical bonds
compound
a negatively charged particle that resides outside of the nucleus in the electron orbital;
lacks functional mass and has a charge of –1
electron
one of 118 unique substances that cannot be broken down into smaller substances and
retain the characteristic of that substance; each element has a specified number of protons and
unique properties
element
one or more forms of an element that have different numbers of neutrons
isotope
the number of protons plus neutrons in an atom
mass number
anything that has mass and occupies space
matter
two or more neutral atoms chemically bonded together
molecules
a particle with no charge that resides in the nucleus of an atom; has a mass of 1
neutron
(chemistry) the dense center of an atom made up of protons and (except in the case of a
hydrogen atom) neutrons
nucleus
an area where an electron is most likely to be found its
orbital
an organizational chart of elements, indicating the atomic number
and mass number of each element; also provides key information about the properties of
elements
periodic table of elements
a positively charged particle that resides in the nucleus of an atom; has a mass of 1 and a
charge of +1
proton
an isotope that spontaneously emits particles or energy to form a more
stable element
radioactive isotope
