Structure of Matter Unit Vocabulary
Dec 29, 2015
Structure of
Matter UnitVocabulary
Atomic numberThe number of protons in
an atom’s nucleus
Chemical symbol
A shorthand way to write the name of an element.
Example: Ag = Gold
ElectronNegatively charged particles that move
around the nucleus of an atom.
IsotopeAtoms of the same element that have
different numbers of neutrons
Example: Boron – 10 and Boron - 11
NeutronAtomic particle with no charge, neutral, that is
part of an atoms nucleus
Mass numberSum of the numbers of
the protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus
Periodic tableA chart of elements
arranged according to repeated changes in
properties
ProtonAtomic particle with a positive charge that is
part of an atom’s nucleus
Quark6 small particles that
make up a neutron and proton
Boiling pointThe temperature at which vapor bubbles from in a liquid form to rise to the
surface, increasing evaporation
DensityDescribes how tightly packed a
substance’s molecules are
Density formulaThe mass per unit volume of a
materialD=M/V
D=density M=mass V=volume
IonA positively or negatively
charged atom
Nonpolar moleculeA molecule that does not have oppositely charged
ends
ToxicHazardous substance that can injure living tissues
Chemical formulaA precise statement that
tells which elements are in a compound and their
ratios
Chemically stableDescribes an atom whose
outer energy level is completely filled with
electrons
CorrosiveHazardous compound that attacks and alters metals,
human tissue or other materials
Covalent bondA type of chemical bond formed by atoms when they share electrons, producing molecules
Chemical bondThe force that holds together
the atoms in a compound, occurs because atoms of
most elements become more stable by gaining, losing and
sharing electrons