Classifying States of Matter Flashcards
(77 cards)
Why is it important to classify states of matter?
The classification allows us to speak a common scientific language and understand why substances have certain characteristics.
What is an element (simple definition)
Pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom
What is the most abundant element in Earth’s crust?
Oxygen
What is an atom (simple definition)
Smallest particle of an element that retains the characteristic properties of that element
What is a compound (simple definition)
Pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements
Chemical compounds have what type of chemical structure?
A unique and defined chemical structure
What are chemical compounds consisted of?
They consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together in a defined spatial arrangement by chemical bonds
What are molecular compounds held together by?
Covalent bonds
What are salts held together by?
Ionic bonds
What is a molecule?
Electrically neutral group of at least two atoms in a definite arrangement that retains the composition and chemical characteristics of a compound
What are salts composed of?
Composed of electrically charged ions that are arranged in extended 3D networks
Definition of an atom
The smallest particle of an element that has the properties of that element and can enter into a chemical combination
What is one of the smallest things we can see with our unaided eyes?
A single thread of a spider web
True or False: It is rare to find collections of individual atoms
True
True or False: Only a few elements consist of a collection of individual atoms that move about independently of each other
True
Which elements consist of a collection of individual atoms that move about independently of each other?
Helium, Neon, and Argon
Give an example of common elements that consists of units that have pairs of atoms?
Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Chlorine
Definition of molecule
Consists of two or more atoms joined by strong forces called chemical bonds
What are chemical bonds?
Strong forces that join two or more atoms together
True or False: A molecule can consist of two or more identical atoms
True
True or False: A molecule can consist of two or more different atoms
True
How do we represent molecules?
We use chemical symbols and subscripts to indicate how much of each atom is present.
When displaying molecules, chemists typically use what?
A color scheme as a coding system to determine which elements are being used and displayed.
What are two broad categories that we can classify matter into?
Pure substances and mixtures