Atoms
a small particle that is the building block of matter
atom
a substance that consists of only one type of atom
element
a vertical line on the periodic table
column
measure of the ability of a specific substance to conduct electricity
conductivity
an explanation based on evidence that is not directly observed
inference
a subatomic particle that has no charge and that is located on the nucleus of an atom
neutrons
average mass of one atom of an element
atomic mass
elements that are found in the same column on the periodic table, which share similar physical and chemical properties
family
the ability of a substance to be able to hammered or rolled into sheets
malleability
a process of investigation that in one or more ways resembles science, but deviates from the scientific methods
pseudoscience
a subatomic particle that has a positive charge and that is located in the nucleus of an atom
proton
the number of protons in an atom of an element
one or two letter code that stands for and element
chemical symbol
how the surface of an object reflects light
luster
the variable manipulated by the experimenter in order to study changes in the outcome variable
test (independent) variable
a negatively charged particle that occupies the space in an atom outside the nucleus
electron
an element that does not conduct heat and electricity
nonmetal
regular variation in the properties of an elements with increasing atomic number
periodic trend
the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reactions
reactivity
observations obtained by following a preplanned method of observation
systematic observations
the region surrounding an atom’s nucleus where one or more electrons are most likely to be found
electron cloud
an element that has properties of both metals and nonmetals
metalloid
a horizontal row of elements in the periodic table
period
property of a substance that remains the same regardless of the amount of the sample
characteristic property
the reproduction of a scientific investigation by another person to ensure accuracy
replication