Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Diatomic element: An element
that is found in two-atom
molecules in its elemental form.
The seven diatomic elements
are fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, hydrogen, oxygen, and
nitrogen.
Dipole: Another term for a polar
molecule.
Electrolyte: A substance that
dissociates in water to produce
a current-carrying solution.
Electron: A negatively charged
subatomic particle found in the
“cloud” region of an atom.
Electron affinity: A measure of the
attraction of an element for
additional electrons.
Electron cloud: The region of the
quantum mechanical atom
where the electrons may be
found.
Electron configuration: A notation
that shows information about
the likely locations of the
electrons in an atom.
Electronegativity: A relative
measure of an atom's attraction
for bonding electrons.
Element: A substance made up
entirely of one type of atom,
with the same atomic number.
Elemental notation: A notation
that summarizes information
about an isotope.
Elemental symbol: One or more
letters that represent a
shorthand notation for an
element.
Empirical formula: A formula that
shows the simplest whole
number ratio for the elements
that make up a compound.
Endothermic reaction: A reaction
that takes in energy from its
surroundings.
Energy: The ability to do work.
Excess reactant: A reactant that
doesn't get totally consumed in
a chemical reaction, as there is
plenty of it.
Exothermic reaction: A reaction
that releases energy, usually in
the form of heat and light.
Extensive property: A property of
a substance that depends upon
the size of the sample, such as
mass and volume.
Factor-label method: A method
used to convert between units
of different quantities.
Family: One of the several groups
of elements found in the same
column on the periodic table.
Formula mass: The mass of one
formula unit of an ionic
compound.
Formula unit: The simplest whole
number ratio of cations to
anions found in a compound.
