AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Biology - Basic Chemistry Flashcards

Terms : Hide Images
7377714358MatterAnything that has mass and occupies space0
7377714359EnergyThe ability to do work; comes in many forms - kinetic, potential, heat, chemical, electrical, mechanical, radiant, etc.; Never created or destroyed but is easily converted from one form to another1
7377714361AtomThe most basic unit of matter; the smallest particle of an element2
7377714362Structure of an AtomConsists of mostly empty space; Protons (+) and neutrons (0) make up the tiny, dense nucleus. Electrons (-) exist in orbitals at various energy levels surrounding the nucleus. The electrons involved in forming chemical bonds occupy the outermost energy level (AKA the valence shell)3
7377714363IonAn atom with a positive or negative electric charge4
7377714364CationAn atom that lost electrons and therefore has a positive charge.5
7377714365AnionAn atom that gained electrons and therefore has a negative charge.6
7377714366ElementSimplest form of matter to have unique chemical properties; a pure substance made of only one kind of atom7
7377714367IsotopeA variant of an element that differs only in its number of neutrons.8
7377714368RadioisotopeHeavier isotopes of certain atoms that become unstable and begin to decompose. Radioactive decay involves the ejection of particles from the nucleus that may cause damage to living cells; These are used in very small amounts to tag biological molecules so they can be followed or traced through the body and used as a tool for medical diagnosis and treatment.9
7377714369MoleculeParticle consisting of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds10
7377714370CompoundParticle consisting of two or more different types of atoms chemically combined11
7377714371Polar moleculeA molecule that has a positive charge on one end and a negative charge on the other due to an imbalance in the way electrons are shared between its atoms.12
7377714372Nonpolar moleculeA molecule that does not have oppositely charged ends because its atoms share electrons equally.13
7377714376Ionic BondA bond formed by the complete transfer of electron(s) from one atom to another. The resulting charged atoms, or ions, are oppositely charged and thus attract each other14
7377714377Covalent BondA bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms15
7377714378Hydrogen BondA bond formed when the slightly positive hydrogen atom of a polar covalent bond in one molecule is attracted to the slightly negative atom of a polar covalent bond in another molecule; relatively weak16
7377714386SolventA liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances17
7377714387SoluteA substance that is dissolved in a solution.18
7377714388SolutionA homogenous mixture that forms when one substance (the solvent) dissolves another (the solute).19
7377714389Water (H2O)A liquid made of hydrogen and oxygen that is essential to body function.20
7377714393AcidElectrolytes that release H+ ions in an aqueous solution; proton donors21
7377714394BaseElectrolytes that produce OH- ions in an aqueous solution; proton acceptors22
7377714395SaltAny ionic compound that can be made from the neutralization of an acid with a base23
7377714396PH ScaleMeasurement system used to indicate the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution; ranges from 0 to 14. 0 is most acidic + and 14 is most basic + or alkaline.24
7377714397BufferA substance that prevents large pH changes in solution to which small quantities of acids or bases are added; stabilizes pH by absorbing or releasing H+ ions as needed25

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!