Chemistry Vocabulary

Periodic Trends, Quantum Mechanics, Atomic Theory, Ionic & Covalent Bonding

1. Groups
n. bunch; ensemble, band
2. Periods
n. a bunch
3. Element
n. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances
by chemical means.
4. Compound
adj. composed of two or more parts, elements, or ingredients
5. Atomic Number
n. the number of positive charges or protons in the nucleus of an atom of a
given element, and therefore also the number of electrons normally
surrounding the nucleus.
6. Atomic Mass
n. the mass of an isotope of an element measured in units formerly based on
the mass of one hydrogen atom taken as a unit or on 1/16 (0.0625) the mass of
one oxygen atom, but after 1961 based on 1/12 (0.0833) the mass of the
carbon-12 atom.
7. Atom
n. the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the
element, consisting of a nucleus containing combinations of neutrons and
protons and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus by electrical attraction;
the number of protons determines the identity of the element.
8. Ion
n. an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of
one or more electrons
9. Valence Electron
n. an electron of an atom, located in the outermost shell (valence shell) of the
atom, that can be transferred to or shared with another atom.

10. Metal
n. any of a class of elementary substances, as gold, silver, or copper, all of
which are crystalline when solid and many of which are characterized by
opacity, ductility, conductivity, and a unique luster when freshly fractured.
11. Nonmetal
n. an element not having the character of a metal, as carbon or nitrogen
12. Metalloids
n. a nonmetal that in combination with a metal forms an alloy
13. Noble Gas
n. any of the chemically inert gaseous elements of group 8A or 0 of the periodic
table: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon
14. Alkali Metal
n.
15. Alkaline Earth Metal
n. any of the group of univalent metals including potassium, sodium, lithium,
rubidium, cesium, and francium, whose hydroxides are alkalis
16. Halogen
n. any of the electronegative elements, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and
astatine, that form binary salts by direct union with metals
17. Cation
n. a positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis
18. Anion
n. a negatively charged ion, as one attracted to the anode in electrolysis
19. Electron Affinity
n. the quantitative measure, usually given in electron-volts, of the tendency of
an atom or molecule to capture an electron and to form a negative ion.
20. Electronegativity (explain the trend)
adj. containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in
electrolysis.
21. Ionization Energy (explain the trend)
n. the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom to form
a cation; also called ionization potential
22. Atomic Radii (explain the trend)
n. describes the size of the atom
23. Density
n. the state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded
condition
24. Melting Point
n. the temperature at which a solid substance melts or fuses
25. Reactivity
n. the relative capacity of an atom, molecule, or radical to undergo a chemical
reaction with another atom, molecule, or compound.