13 Key Terms
- acid
- molecule that donates hydrogen ions and increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution
- acidic
- possessing a pH < 7.0
- adhesion
- attraction between water molecules and other molecules
- alkaline
- possessing a pH > 7.0
- aliphatic hydrocarbon
- hydrocarbon consisting of a linear chain, branched chain, or non-aromatic ring of carbon atoms
- anion
- negative ion that is formed by an atom gaining one or more electrons
- aromatic hydrocarbon
- hydrocarbon consisting of closed rings of carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds
- atom
- the smallest unit of matter that retains all of the chemical properties of an element
- atomic mass
- calculated mean of the mass number for an element’s isotopes
- atomic number
- total number of protons in an atom
- balanced chemical equation
- statement of a chemical reaction with the number of each type of atom equalized for both the products and reactants
- base
- molecule that donates hydroxide ions or otherwise binds excess hydrogen ions and decreases the hydrogen ions’ concentration in a solution
- buffer
- substance that resists a change in pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen or hydroxide ions
- calorie
- amount of heat required to change the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius
- capillary action
- occurs because water molecules are attracted to charges on the inner surfaces of narrow tubular structures such as glass tubes, drawing the water molecules to the tubes’ sides
- cation
- positive ion that is formed by an atom losing one or more electrons
- chemical bond
- interaction between two or more of the same or different atoms that results in forming molecules
- chemical reaction
- process leading to rearranging atoms among molecules
- chemical reactivity
- the ability to combine and to chemically bond with each other
- cohesion
- intermolecular forces between water molecules caused by the polar nature of water; responsible for surface tension
- compound
- substance composed of molecules consisting of atoms of at least two different elements
- covalent bond
- type of strong bond formed between two atoms of the same or different elements; forms when electrons are shared between atoms
- dissociation
- release of an ion from a molecule such that the original molecule now consists of an ion and the charged remains of the original, such as when water dissociates into H+ and OH–
- electrolyte
- ion necessary for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and water balance
- electron
- subatomic particle of inconsequential mass that resides outside of the nucleus in an electron orbital; has −1 charge
- electron configuration
- arrangement of electrons in an atom’s electron shell (for example, 1s22s22p6)
- electron orbital
- how electrons are spatially distributed surrounding the nucleus; the area where we are most likely to find an electron
- electron transfer
- movement of electrons from one element to another; important in creating ionic bon