2.1 Basic Chemistry Flashcards
What is matter?
anything that takes up space or mass
What is an element?
a substance that cannot be broken down to simpler substances with different properties by ordinary chemical means
What is an atom?
the smallest part of an element that displays the properties of the element
Where are protons, neutrons, and electrons located?
protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus
electrons move around the nucleus
What is the atomic symbol?
1 or 2-letter symbol to represent the element
What is the atomic number?
the number of protons of all atoms of an element
What is the mass number?
the number of subatomic particles in an atom, the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
What are protons’, neutrons’, and electrons’ AMU?
protons and neutrons have 1 AMU
electrons have 0 AMU
Why is the term atomic mass used instead of atomic weight?
mass is constant, while weight changes according to the gravitational force of a body
Which is the atomic symbol, atomic number, and mass number?
12
6 C
12: mass number
6: atomic number
C: atomic symbol
What is an isotope?
atom of the same element that differs in the number of neutrons
same number of protons, different atomic masses
What is a radioactive isotope?
isotopes that decay and release various types of energy in the form of rays and subatomic particles
How is low radiation beneficial to humans?
used as tracers in medical testing and imaging
How is radiation harmful to humans?
can harm cells, damage DNA, cause cancer, nuclear weapons
What are the primary elements in Earth’s crust?
silicon, aluminum, oxygen
