Basic Chemistry
What is matter?
Anything that has mass and takes up space.
What element do all organic compounds contain?
carbon, C
What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by water?
over 70%
What are the three main layers of Earth?
Crust, mantle, core.
What sphere contains all living and once-living things?
Biosphere
What part of an atom has a positive charge adn where is it located in the atom?
Proton, nucleus
What macromolecule acts as enzymes and builds tissues and is made of amino acids?
proteins
Why does ice float on water?
it is less dense than liquid water.
What is The crust and uppermost mantle (hard rock layer).
lithosphere
What sphere includes all the gases surrounding Earth?
Atmosphere
What type of bond shares electrons between atoms?
Covalent bond.
Which macromolecule carries hereditary information?
nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
What property allows water molecules to stick to each other?
Cohesion (via hydrogen bonds)
What process drives plate tectonics?
Convection currents in the mantle.
Which sphere includes all Earth’s water?
hydrosphere
What’s the difference between a molecule and a compound?
A molecule can be same or different atoms; a compound has two or more different elements.
Which macromolecule is a main energy source for living things?
carbohydrates
Why does water resist temperature change?
Hydrogen bonds absorb heat, preventing rapid temperature shifts.
What is the soft, hot layer of earth that carries the lithosphere?
Asthenosphere
What gas in the atmosphere protects us from UV radiation?
Ozone (O₃)
Why is chemistry at the core of environmental issues?
It explains how pollutants, pesticides, and greenhouse gases affect the environment and how chemistry helps in solutions
What are 2 examples of bioremediation for pollution clean up?
Bacteria clean up gasoline spills, Microorganisms break down pesticides in soil, plants clean toxic waste through roots
Why is water called the “universal solvent”?
It dissolves many substances essential to life.
How does the geosphere influence climate?
By altering wind, rainfall, and ocean current patterns.
Why are greenhouse gases important?
They trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough to sustain life.