Flashcards in Chemistry Deck (9)
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1
Compound
A combination of two or more elements, bonded in some way.
Example: H2O (water)
2
Binary
A compound composed of two elements only.
Example: carbon monoxide (CO)
3
Atom
- The smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element.
ALSO
- they are the smallest unit into which matter can be divided without the release of electrically charged particles.
4
How many elements are there?
118
5
Element
- A substance which cannot be split into simpler substances by a chemical reaction.
- they are the fundamental materials by which all matter is composed.
Example: H (hydrogen atom)
6
Nuclear fission
- The division of a nucleus of an atom.
- caused by bombardment with a neutron (a subatomic particle).
7
What is the affect of nuclear fission?
When a neutron splits an atom:
- it forms neutrons and nuclei of other elements.
- it releases huge amounts of energy.
- the release of neutrons also causes the fission of other atoms, which in turn produces more neutrons.
- this leads to a chain reaction.
8
When is nuclear fission used?
- controlled nuclear fission is used in nuclear power stations.
- uncontrolled fission (atom bombs) is very explosive.
9