Earth Science Chapter 4; section 1

Marta D.
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words only definitions & notes
  1. ability
    the quality of having the means or skills to do something
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  2. accord
    concurrence of opinion
    Elements on the periodic table are ordered according to their atomic numbers.
  3. approximate
    not quite exact or correct
    Because electrons add little to an atom's total mass, their mass can be ignored when calculating an atom's approximate mass.
  4. arrange
    put into a proper or systematic order
    Valence Electrons and Periodic Properties Based on similarities in their chemical properties, elements on the periodic table are arranged in columns, which are called groups.
  5. atom
    the smallest component of an element
    Atoms Elements consist of atoms.
  6. atomic
    relating to the smallest component of an element
    Atomic Structure Even though atoms are very tiny, they are made up of smaller parts called subatomic particles.
  7. atomic mass
    the property of an atom that causes it to have weight
    Atomic Mass The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom is the mass number.
  8. atomic mass unit
    unit of mass for expressing masses of atoms or molecules
    The mass of a subatomic particle is too small to be expressed easily in grams. so, a special unit called the atomic mass unit is used.
  9. atomic number
    quantity of protons in the nucleus of an atom of an element
    Atomic Number The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is called the atomic number.
  10. attract
    exert a force on
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  11. average
    an intermediate scale value regarded as normal or usual
    Average Atomic Mass Because the isotopes of an element have different masses, the periodic table uses an average atomic mass for each element.
  12. boil
    change from a liquid to vapor
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  13. boiling point
    the temperature at which a liquid boils at sea level
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  14. calculate
    make a mathematical computation
    Because electrons add little to an atom's total mass, their mass can be ignored when calculating an atom's approximate mass.
  15. center
    an area that is in the middle of some larger region
    The Nucleus The protons and neutrons of an atom are packed close to one another. together they form the nucleus, which is a small region in the center of an atom.
  16. chemical
    produced by reactions involving atomic or molecular changes
    Properties of Matter All matter has two types of distinguishing properties -- physical properties and chemical properties.
  17. chemical property
    a property used to characterize materials in reactions that change their identity
    Properties of Matter All matter has two types of distinguishing properties -- physical properties and chemical properties.
  18. chemically
    with respect to chemistry
    When an atom has 8 valence electrons, it is considered stable, or chemically unreactive.
  19. column
    a line of units following one after another
    Elements in the same column on the periodic table have similar arrangements of electrons in their atoms.
  20. combine
    put or add together
    The mass of 1 proton is equal to the combined mass of about 1840 electrons.
  21. conduct
    the way a person behaves toward other people
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  22. consider
    think about carefully; weigh
    When an atom has 8 valence electrons, it is considered stable, or chemically unreactive.
  23. consist
    have its essential character
    Atoms Elements consist of atoms.
  24. contain
    hold or have within
    Isotopes Although all atoms of a given element contain the same number of protons, the number of neutrons may differ.
  25. contrast
    the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
    In contrast, electrons have much less mass than protons and neutrons do.
  26. create
    bring into existence
    About two dozen other elements have been created in laboratories.
  27. current
    occurring in or belonging to the present time
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  28. density
    the amount per unit size
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  29. describe
    give a statement representing something
    Scientists use the word matter to describe the substances of which objects are made.
  30. dozen
    the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
    About two dozen other elements have been created in laboratories.
  31. electric
    using or providing the flow of charge through a conductor
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  32. electric current
    a flow of electricity through a conductor
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  33. electron
    an elementary particle with negative charge
    The three major kinds of subatomic particles are protons, electrons, and neutrons.
  34. element
    a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances
    Elements an element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler, stable substances by chemical means.
  35. elements
    violent or severe weather
    Elements an element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler, stable substances by chemical means.
  36. empty
    holding or containing nothing
    Because electrons are even smaller than protons and neutrons, the volume of an atom is mostl empty space.
  37. equal
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
    More than a million atoms lined up side by side would be equal to that thickness.
  38. freezing point
    the temperature below which a liquid turns into a solid
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  39. ghat
    stairway in India leading down to a landing on the water
    An atom ghat has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms of the same element do but has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass) is called an isotope.
  40. helium
    a light colorless element that is one of the six inert gases
    A chemical property of helium is that helium does not react with other substances to form new substances.
  41. hydrogen
    a colorless, odorless gas; the lightest chemical element
    Hydrogen has three isotopes.
  42. identify
    recognize as being
    Scientists can observe the properties of a substance to identify the kind of matter that makes up that substance.
  43. ignore
    refuse to acknowledge
    Because electrons add little to an atom's total mass, their mass can be ignored when calculating an atom's approximate mass.
  44. ignored
    disregarded
    Because electrons add little to an atom's total mass, their mass can be ignored when calculating an atom's approximate mass.
  45. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    For example, physical properties include density, color; hardness, freezing point, boiling point, and the ability to conduct an electric current.
  46. isotope
    atom with same atomic number, different number of neutrons
    Isotopes Although all atoms of a given element contain the same number of protons, the number of neutrons may differ.
  47. laboratory
    a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
    About two dozen other elements have been created in laboratories.
  48. major
    greater in scope or effect
    The three major kinds of subatomic particles are protons, electrons, and neutrons.
  49. mass number
    the sum of the number of neutrons and protons in an atomic nucleus
    Atomic Mass The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom is the mass number.
  50. mass unit
    a unit of measurement for mass
    The mass of a subatomic particle is too small to be expressed easily in grams. so, a special unit called the atomic mass unit is used.
  51. massive
    containing a great quantity of matter
    A helium atom that has two neutrons is more massive than a helium atom that has only one neutron.
  52. metal
    a chemical element or alloy that is usually a shiny solid
    These elements have metallic properties and are generally classified as metals.
  53. negative
    characterized by denial or opposition or resistance
    Electrons are subatomic particles that have a negative charge.
  54. negative charge
    the state of having a surplus of electrons
    Electrons are subatomic particles that have a negative charge.
  55. negatively
    in a harmful manner
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  56. negatively charged
    having a negative charge
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  57. neutron
    a subatomic particle with zero charge
    The three major kinds of subatomic particles are protons, electrons, and neutrons.
  58. nonmetal
    not resembling shiny, malleable, conductive elements
    Many of these elements, which are in groups 13-17, are classified as nonmetals.
  59. nucleus
    a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction
    The Nucleus The protons and neutrons of an atom are packed close to one another. together they form the nucleus, which is a small region in the center of an atom.
  60. object
    a tangible and visible entity
    every object in the universe is made of particles of some kind of substance.
  61. observe
    watch attentively
    Scientists can observe the properties of a substance to identify the kind of matter that makes up that substance.
  62. occur
    come to pass
    More than 90 elements occur naturally on Earth.
  63. opposite
    being directly across from each other
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  64. oxygen
    a colorless, odorless gas that is essential for respiration
    For example, a chemical property of iron is that iron reacts with oxygen to form rust.
  65. particle
    (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
    every object in the universe is made of particles of some kind of substance.
  66. periodic
    happening or recurring at regular intervals
    Elements on the periodic table are ordered according to their atomic numbers.
  67. periodic table
    arrangement of chemical elements according to atomic number
    Elements on the periodic table are ordered according to their atomic numbers.
  68. physical
    involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
    Properties of Matter All matter has two types of distinguishing properties -- physical properties and chemical properties.
  69. physical property
    any property used to characterize matter and energy and their interactions
    Properties of Matter All matter has two types of distinguishing properties -- physical properties and chemical properties.
  70. positive
    characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance
    Protons are subatomic particles that have a positive charge.
  71. positive charge
    the state of having a deficiency of electrons
    Protons are subatomic particles that have a positive charge.
  72. positively
    in a manner displaying affirmation or certainty
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  73. positively charged
    having a positive charge
    Because opposite charges attract each other, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus.
  74. property
    something owned
    All matter has observable and measureable properties.
  75. proton
    a stable particle with positive charge
    The three major kinds of subatomic particles are protons, electrons, and neutrons.
  76. react
    show a response to something
    Chemical properties are characteristics that describe how a substance reacts with other substances to produce different substances.
  77. region
    the extended spatial location of something
    The Nucleus The protons and neutrons of an atom are packed close to one another. together they form the nucleus, which is a small region in the center of an atom.
  78. represent
    be a delegate or spokesperson for
    Every known element is represented by a symbol of one or two letters.
  79. require
    have need of
    Understanding the chemical properties of a substance requires knowing some basic information about the particles that make up all substances.
  80. scientist
    a person with advanced knowledge of empirical fields
    Scientists use the word matter to describe the substances of which objects are made.
  81. similar
    having the same or nearly the same characteristics
    Elements in the same column on the periodic table have similar arrangements of electrons in their atoms.
  82. similarity
    the quality of being alike
    Valence Electrons and Periodic Properties Based on similarities in their chemical properties, elements on the periodic table are arranged in columns, which are called groups.
  83. simple
    having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
    Elements an element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler, stable substances by chemical means.
  84. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
    Atomic Structure Even though atoms are very tiny, they are made up of smaller parts called subatomic particles.
  85. subatomic
    of or relating to constituents of the atom or forces within the atom
    Atomic Structure Even though atoms are very tiny, they are made up of smaller parts called subatomic particles.
  86. subatomic particle
    a body having finite mass and internal structure but negligible dimensions
    Atomic Structure Even though atoms are very tiny, they are made up of smaller parts called subatomic particles.
  87. sum
    a quantity obtained by the addition of a group of numbers
    Atomic Mass The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom is the mass number.
  88. surround
    extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
    The Electron Cloud The electrons of an atom move in a certain region of space called an electron cloud that surrounds the nucleus.
  89. symbol
    something visible that represents something invisible
    Every known element is represented by a symbol of one or two letters.
  90. tiny
    very small
    Atomic Structure Even though atoms are very tiny, they are made up of smaller parts called subatomic particles.
  91. uncharged
    of a particle or body or system; having no charge
    Because an uncharged atom has an equal number of protons and electrons, the atomic number is also equal to the number of electrons in an atom of any given element.
  92. universe
    everything that exists anywhere
    every object in the universe is made of particles of some kind of substance.
  93. unreactive
    (chemistry) not reacting chemically
    When an atom has 8 valence electrons, it is considered stable, or chemically unreactive.
  94. valence
    the capacity of something or someone to react with or affect others
    Valence Electrons and Periodic Properties Based on similarities in their chemical properties, elements on the periodic table are arranged in columns, which are called groups.
  95. volume
    the property of something that is great in magnitude
    The nucleus makes up most of an atom's mass but very little of an atom's volume.
Created on Fri Sep 20 18:09:49 EDT 2013 (updated Fri Sep 20 18:10:17 EDT 2013)

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