Island School Chemistry P&B 1b

Glossary for Particles & Bonding Topic

Atom The smallest part of an element that can exist.

Particles Extremely small pieces of matter, for example, atoms, molecules and
ions.
Molecule A molecule usually consists of a small number of atoms joined
together covalently
Element A single pure substance that cannot be split up into anything
simpler.
Symbols Chemists use symbols to represent atoms. Every element has a
different symbol. For example, the symbol for carbon is C.
Diffusion Gaseous/liquid particles spread out/mix.
Dissolving Solid particles break apart and exist in the gaps between the liquid
particles.
Simple A separation technique that allows a pure liquid to be separated
distillation from a mixture. Involves the liquid boiling and then condensing.
Filtration A separation technique that allows an insoluble solid to be
separated from a mixture in a liquid. The liquid passes through the
filter paper but the solid does not.
Crystallisation A separation technique that allows a soluble solid to be separated
from a dissolved mixture in a liquid. The mixture is heated and the
liquid partially evaporates. As the mixture cools, the solid starts to
appear. This is called crystallisation.
Paper A technique that allows a complex mixture of substances to be
chromatography separated and identified. Each pure substance rises up the filter
paper by different distances.
Retention factor Used to identify the substances used in paper chromatography.
(Rf value). The distance moved by the substance / distance moved by the
solvent (liquid).
Solute Solid particles that you are trying to dissolve.
Solvent Liquid that you are using to dissolve the solid. Water is the most
common solvent, but there are others such as propanone is used
to dissolve nail polish.
Solution When the solid has dissolved in the liquid, we call this a solution.
Saturated This is the maximum amount of solute that a solvent can dissolve
solution at a given temperature.
Solubility This is a measure of how much solute has been dissolved in the
solvent. It is often measured in g of solute per 100g of solvent.
Periodic Table A table of elements arranged in order of increasing atomic number
to show the similarities of the chemical elements. The elements are
arranged in vertical groups and horizontal periods.
Period A horizontal row of the Periodic Table.
Island School Chemistry P&B 1b

Proton number The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It is also the
(atomic number) number of electrons present in an atom and the position of the
element within the Periodic Table
Nucleon number the total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus
(mass number) of an atom.
Sub-atomic Very small particles - protons, neutrons, and electrons - from
particles which all atoms are built
Proton A sub-atomic particle with a relative mass of 1 a relative charge
of +1 found in the nucleus of all atoms
Electron A sub-atomic particle with negligible mass and a relative charge of -
1; electrons are present in all atoms, located in shells outside the
nucleus.
Neutron An uncharged sub-atomic particle present in the nuclei of atoms.
A neutron has a mass of 1 relative to a proton.
Electron Arrangement of electrons in shells/orbitals around nucleus.
Configuration
Ion Charged particles made from an atom, or groups of atoms
(polyatomic ions), by the loss or gain of electrons - the gain of
electrons produces negative ions; the loss of electrons produces
positive ions.
Ionic Bond A chemical bond formed between metals and non metal
elements. Involves the attraction between oppositely charged
ions.
Covalent bond A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more pairs of
electrons between two atoms - such bonds are present in
compounds involving non-metals. In addition to single covalent
bonds, double and triple bonds can also exist in some elements
and compounds.
The atoms are held by the mutual attraction of the shared pair of
electrons for both nuclei
Formulae Formulae are written for compounds. The formula of a
compound consists of the symbols of the elements present and
some numbers. The numbers show the ratio in which the atoms
are present. The compound carbon dioxide has the formula
CO2
Valency The combining power of an atom or group of atoms