Atoms, Molecules, and the Elements

A Science Unit for Mrs. Berg’s Class

atom 1.  The basic building block of matter. 2.  The smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element.

chemical formula noun    A chemical formula or molecular

formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ex. Al2(SO4)3

compound noun,verb,adjective    A substance made up

of two or more elements chemically joined together into a molecule.

NaCl = salt

electron noun    particle in an atom that has a

negative electrical charge

elementnoun    A substance whose atoms are all

alike. There are over 100 elements on the Periodic Table.

gasnoun,verb    One of the three states of matter.

This state of matter has no fixed shape and no fixed volume.

heterogeneousadjective    These types of mixtures contain

more than one substance evenly mixed but not chemically bonded together and is the same throughout.

homogeneous adjective    When two or more substacnes

come together but don't chemically combine or bond to make a new substance it is called this.

inorganic adjective      Any substance that does not

contain carbon.

ion noun    a positively or negatively charged

atom

liquid noun,adjective    A state of matter that has no

fixed shape but that has a definite volume.

matter noun,verb    Anything that takes up space and

has mass.

molecule noun    The smallest physical unit of a

substance that can exist independently, consisting of one or more atoms held together by chemical forces.

neutron noun    An elementary particle with 0 charge

and mass about equal to a proton; enters into the structure of the atomic nucleus.  

nucleus1.  The positively charged center of an atom. 2.  The nucleus is in the center of the atom

organicnoun,adjective    Obtained from a living

thing; Containing carbon

particles noun    Very small pieces of matter.

proton noun    A stable particle with positive charge

equal to the negative charge of an electron.  

solid noun,adjective    A state of matter that has a

definite shape and a definite volume.

solution noun    A homogeneous mixture that has

dissolved substances.