p104-124 Flashcards
(23 cards)
electron
A negatively charged particle that is found outside the nucleus of an atom
energy level
The specific amount of energy an electron has
nucleus
The central core of the atom
neutron
A small particle in the nucleus of the atom, with no electrical charge.
atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
isotope
An atom with the same numbers of protons and a different number of neutrons from other atoms of the same element
mass number
The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
atomic mass
The average mass of all the isotopes of an element
periodic table
A chart of the elements showing the repeating pattern of their properties
group
Elements in the same vertical column of the periodic table; also called a family
period
A horizontal row of elements in the periodic table
chemical symbol
A one or two-letter representation of an element
nuclear fusion
The process in which two atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, forming a heavier element and releasing huge amounts of energy
plasma
A gas-like state of matter consisting of a mixture of free electrons and atoms that are stripped of their electrons
ductile
A term used to describe a material that can be pulled out into a long wire
malleable
A term used to describe material that can be pounded into shapes
metal
A class of elements characterized by physical properties that include shininess, malleability, ductility, and conductivity.
conductivity
The ability of an object to transfer heat or electricity to another object
corrosion
The gradual wearing away of a metal element due to a chemical reaction
alkali metal
An element in Group 1 of the periodic table
alkaline earth metal
An element in Group 2 of the periodic table
alloy
A mixture of two or more elements, one of which is a metal
particle accelerator
A machine that moves atomic nuclei at higher and higher speeds until they crash into on another, sometimes forming heavier elements
