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01 – The Atom and Early Ideas
1. Atom – The smallest indivisible unit of matter, from the Greek word atomos meaning “uncuttable.”
2. Democritus – Greek philosopher who suggested substances are made of tiny particles with
different shapes.
3. Leucippus – Proposed atoms are indivisible particles.
4. Dalton – Proposed that atoms of the same element are identical and combine in fixed ratios.
5. Molecule – A group of atoms joined together, term introduced by Avogadro.
6. Electron – A negatively charged subatomic particle discovered by J. J. Thomson.
7. Proton – A positively charged particle in the nucleus, discovered by Rutherford.
8. Neutron – A neutral particle in the nucleus, discovered by James Chadwick.
9. Rutherford’s Experiment – Gold foil test that showed atoms are mostly empty space with a
nucleus.
10. Isotopes – Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
1.02 – Atomic Structure
1. Nucleus – The dense center of an atom containing protons and neutrons.
2. Electron Shells – Energy levels where electrons move around the nucleus.
3. Atomic Number – The number of protons in an atom, which defines the element.
4. Mass Number – The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
5. Relative Atomic Mass (RAM) – The average mass of isotopes compared to carbon-12.
6. Mass Spectrometer – Instrument used to measure atomic and isotopic masses.
7. Bohr Model – Improved atomic model with electrons in fixed orbits/shells.
8. Isotopes – Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
9. Electron Mass – Extremely small compared to protons and neutrons (1/1836 of a proton).
10. Carbon-12 Standard – Reference atom used for measuring atomic mass.
2.02 – Metals vs Non-metals
1. Metal – Element that is shiny, strong, malleable, ductile, and a good conductor.
2. Non-metal – Element that is brittle, low-density, and a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
3. Malleable – Ability of metals to be hammered into thin sheets.
4. Ductile – Ability of metals to be stretched into wires.
5. Sonorous – Metals produce a ringing sound when struck.
6. Conductor – Ability to allow electricity or heat to pass through.
7. Corrosion – Slow destruction of metals by reacting with oxygen or water.
8. Alloy – A mixture of two or more metals, or metals with non-metals.
9. Metalloid – Element with properties of both metals and non-metals (e.g., silicon).
10. Graphite – A non-metal form of carbon that conducts electricity.
2.03 – Groups in the Periodic Table
1. Group – Vertical column of elements in the periodic table with similar properties.
2. Outer Shell Electrons – Electrons in the outermost shell that control reactivity.
3. Group 1 (Alkali Metals) – Highly reactive metals with 1 outer electron.
4. Group 17 (Halogens) – Very reactive non-metals with 7 outer electrons.
5. Group 18 (Noble Gases) – Unreactive gases with full outer electron shells.
6. Reactivity Trend (Metals) – Increases as you go down a group.
7. Reactivity Trend (Non-metals) – Decreases as you go down a group.
8. Positive Ion – Ion formed when metals lose electrons.
9. Negative Ion – Ion formed when non-metals gain electrons.
10. Group Number – Equal to the number of electrons in the outer shell.
2.04 – Periods in the Periodic Table
1. Period – Horizontal row in the periodic table where elements increase in atomic number.
2. Atomic Number – Defines element identity and increases across a period.
3. Period Number – Equal to the number of electron shells.
4. Metals (Left Side) – Elements that lose electrons and conduct electricity.
5. Non-metals (Right Side) – Elements that gain electrons and form molecules.
6. Metalloids – Elements in between metals and non-metals with mixed properties.
7. Mendeleev’s Table – Early arrangement by atomic mass that left gaps for unknown elements.
8. Moseley’s Discovery – Corrected the table using atomic number instead of mass.
9. Trends in Periods – Properties change gradually from metallic to non-metallic.
10. Unique Elements – No two elements can share the same group and period.
2.05 – Alkali Metals (Group 1)
1. Alkali Metals – Group 1 elements (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr) with 1 outer electron.
2. Reactivity – Increases down the group as the outer electron is more easily lost.
3. Density – Low; lithium, sodium, and potassium float on water.
4. Melting/Boiling Points – Decrease down the group due to weaker atomic attraction.
5. Softness – Metals become softer down the group; can be cut with a knife.
6. Reaction with Water – Produces metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
7. Alkali – A soluble hydroxide formed by Group 1 metals.
8. Reaction with Chlorine – Forms ionic chlorides (e.g., NaCl, KCl).
9. Flame Test Colors – Lithium (red), Sodium (yellow), Potassium (lilac).
10. Ionic Bonding – Alkali metals lose one electron to form +1 ions.
