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Chapter 4
Atoms, Elements, and the Periodic Table
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| atom | the smallest particle of an element |
| electron | the negatively charged particles of an atom |
| nucleus | the tiny center region of an atom |
| proton | the positively charged particles of an atom |
| energy level | the specific amount of energy an electron has |
| neutron | the electrically neutral subatomic particle of an atom |
| atomic number | the unique number of protons in the nucleus of an atom for each element |
| isotope | atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons |
| mass number | the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom |
| atomic mass | the average mass of all the isotopes of an element |
| periodic table | a table with a regular repeating pattern that organizes all the different elements |
| period | the horizontal rows of the periodic table |
| group | the vertical columns of the periodic table, sometimes known as families |
| chemical symbol | one or two letter representation of an element’s name |
| plasma | a state of matter that consists of a gas like mixture of free electrons and nuclei |
| nuclear fusion | a process in which two atomic nuclei combine, forming a larger nucleus and releasing huge amounts of energy |
| metal | an element with properties such as shininess, malleability, ductility, and conductivity |
| malleable | a material that can be hammered or rolled into flat sheets and other shapes |
| ductile | a material that can be pulled out, or drawn, into a long wire |
| conductivity | the ability of an object to transfer heat or electricity to another object |
| reactivity | the ease and speed with which an element combines with other elements and compounds |
| corrosion | the destruction of a metal through the process of rusting |
| alkali metal | the metals listed in Group 1 of the periodic table; very reactive metals that are usually found in compounds |
| alkaline earth metal | Group 2; reactive metals that are good electrical conductors |
| transition metal | the elements found in Groups 3-12; most are hard and shiny and are good conductors of electricity |
| particle accelerator | move atomic nuclei faster and faster until they have reached very high speeds |
| nonmetal | an element that lacks most of the properties of a metal (poor conductors, dull, and brittle) |
| diatomic molecule | a molecule that consists of two atoms |
| halogen | Group 17 of the periodic table, “salt forming”, very reactive |
| noble gas | Group 18 elements; they do not form compounds because they are very stable |
| metalloid | have characteristics of both metals and nonmetals |
| semiconductor | substances that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not under other conditions |
| radioactive decay | the atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast moving particles and energy |
| radioactivity | the spontaneous emission of radiation by an unstable atomic nucleus |
| alpha particle | consists of two protons and two neutrons and is positively charged |
| beta particle | a fast moving electron given off by a nucleus during radioactive decay |
| gamma radiation | consists of high-energy waves, similar to X-rays |
| tracer | radioactive isotopes that can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial processes |
Created by:
KerriReynolds
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