Elements
O
Oxygen
Al
Aluminum
Atom
The basic unit of a chemical element
Atomic Number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element and its place in the periodic table
Nucleus
Small dense central core of an atom
He
Helium
Potassium
Physical Property - 3 examples
Options: Color, hardness, conductivity, melting/boiling, etc
Chemical Property - 3 examples
Options: reactivity, rusting, ability to burn, etc
Protons
Magnesium
Zn
Zinc
Atomic Mass
The average mass of one atom of an element; protons + neutrons
Compound
A mixture composed of two or more separate atoms
Electron
Negatively charged subatomic particles
Li
Lithium
Ba
Barium
Electron Configuration
the distribution of electrons in an atom or molecule
Radioactive Decay
The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation. A material containing unstable nuclei is considered radioactive
Neutron
Neutral subatomic particles found in the nucleus
Na
Sodium
V
Vanadium
Isotope
A variation of an element that possesses the same atomic number but a different mass number
Cations/Anions (Define both)
Cations: Positively charged ions
Anions: Negatively charged ions
Orbitals
The circles of electrons surrounding a nucleus