Question | Answer |
What is the definition of an element? | An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. An atom is the smallest particle of an element maintaining the chemical identity of that element. |
Which elements make up the solid portion of Earth? | The solid parts of Earth are made of mostly oxygen and silicon |
Which elements are common to living organisms? | Living matter is mainly made of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus. |
Which element is the most common on Earth? | oxygen |
Which elements make up the oceans? | The oceans are mainly made of oxygen and hydrogen, which are the elements in water. |
Which elements are found in the atmosphere? | The atmosphere is mainly made of nitrogen and oxygen. |
What is the difference between an element and a compound? | A substance that contains two or more different elements is a compound. |
Pure Substance | Matter that is made up of the same particles
throughout |
Chemical Symbol | The symbol that represents each element on the periodic table |
Periodic Table of Elements | An arrangement of the elements according to their
atomic numbers and periodic trends of physical and
chemical properties |
Matter | Anything that has volume and mass |
Atomic Number | The number of protons (positive charges) in an
atomic nucleus |
periodic Groups | The columns on a periodic table that arrange the
elements by select characteristics |
Periodic Periods | The rows in a periodic table that classify the
elements by select characteristics |
Atom | The smallest unit of an element that has all of the
properties of that element |
Physical Property | Those characteristics that can be observed without
changing the identity of the substance such as
size, shape, luster, conductivity, malleability, and
magnetic attraction |
Chemical Reaction | The process by which one or more substances
change to produce one or more different
substances |
Chemical Formula | A shorthand notation that uses chemical symbols
and numbers as subscripts to represent the type of
atoms and number of atoms that are present in the
smallest unit of the substance |
What is a chemical change? | A chemical change occurs when elements bond together or when bonds of compounds are broken and form a new substance. |
What forms from a chemical change? | A new substance forms from a chemical change. It may have different properties than those of the original substance. |
What are some signs of a chemical change? | We often observe signs of a chemical change by the gas production, precipitate formation, absorption or energy release in the form of heat or light, a color change or odor formation. |
Property | The characteristics or qualities of a substance:
physical and chemical |
Physical Change | A change without forming a new substance such
as a different size or state of matter |
Phase of Matter | A phase is another name for a physical state of
matter such as solid, liquid, or gas |
Production of Heat or Light | Evidence of a chemical reaction |
Formation of a Precipitate | Evidence of a chemical reaction |
Production of Gas | Evidence of a chemical reaction |
Rust | Red oxides, formed by the reaction
of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air
moisture |
Corrode | The result of a chemical reaction between a metal
and its surroundings during which the metal is
oxidized. |
Combust | The process of burning. A chemical change,
especially oxidation, accompanied by the
production of heat and light. |
Density | The amount of matter in a given space or volume;
a relationship between mass and volume |
What are the three main element groups? | There are three main groups of elements: metals, non-metals and metalloids. |
What are the predominate physical properties of element groups classified as metals? | Most elements are metals, and most metals are generally shiny, malleable and conduct heat and electricity easily. |
What are the predominate physical properties of element groups classified as non-metals? | Non-metals are generally not shiny, not malleable and do not conduct heat or electricity easily. |
What are the predominate physical properties of element groups classified as metalloids? | The metalloids exhibit intermediate properties of both metals and non-metals. |
Metal | An element that is typically
a hard, shiny solid,
is malleable, and is a
good conductor of
heat and electricity |
Non-metal | An element that is usually a gas
or brittle solid at room
temperature, is not malleable or
ductile, is a poor conductor of
heat and electricity, and is
typically not shiny |
Metalloid | An element that shares
some properties of
metals and some of
non-metals |
Chemical Property | Those characteristics that can be observed when a
chemical reaction changes the identity of the
substance, such as potential to rust,
corrode, or combust |
Luster | A property that describes having a shiny appearance
or reflecting light |
Conductivity | A property that describes if heat or electrical charges
pass through the material easily |
Malleability | A property that describes the ability of the
material to be rolled or hammered into thin sheets |
Magnetism | A property that describes if the material is magnetic |
Ductility | A property that describes if the material has the
ability to be pulled into thin wire
without breaking |
Brittle | Likely to break, snap, or crack when subjected to
pressure |