click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Matter and Energy
Unit 3 Lessons 1-2
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| atom | the smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still be the same element. |
| electron | negatively charged particles. |
| nucleus | a small, dense center that has a positive charge and is surrounded by moving electrons. |
| proton | positively charged particles in the nucleus. |
| neutron | uncharged particles in the nucleus. |
| electron cloud | an area around the nucleus. |
| atomic number | the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. |
| mass number | the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. |
| periodic table | an arrangement of the elements in order of their atomic numbers such that elements with similar properties fall in the same column, or group. |
| chemical symbol | an abbreviation for the element's name. |
| average atomic mass | the weighted average of the masses of all the naturally occurring isotopes of that element. |
| metal | elements that are shiny and conduct heat and electricity well. |
| nonmetal | poor conductors of heat and electricity. |
| metalloid | elements that have some properties of metals and some properties of nonmetals. |
| group | each vertical column of elements (from top to bottom) on the periodic table. |
| period | each horizontal row of elements (from left to right) on the periodic table. |