Module 1 Intro
1. Module 1 Intro
1.29. Module Glossary
Module 1—Chemical Foundations
Module Glossary
atom: the smallest entity of an element that is characteristic of that element
binary ionic compound: a compound that contains only two kinds of monatomic ions
CANDU: Canadian Deuterium-Uranium reactor; a type of nuclear reactor
chemical formula: a series of symbols representing the atoms/ions, and their proportions, present in a pure substance
coefficient: a number used to represent the quantity of molecules or the formula unit of a substance; a number that precedes a chemical formula
compound: a pure substance that can be separated into its elements by heat or electricity; a substance containing atoms/ions of more than one element in a definite fixed proportion
ecological perspective: a perspective, either pro or con, referring to the relationships among living organisms and the environment
economic perspective: a perspective, either pro or con, relating to the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth
electron: a small, negatively charged subatomic particle; has a specific energy within an atom
electronegativity: a value that describes the relative ability of an atom to attract a pair of electrons
element: a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler chemical substances by any physical or chemical means; consists of only one kind of atom
empirical knowledge: knowledge gained through observation
endothermic process: a change in matter that requires an input of energy to occur
energy level: a specific energy an electron can have in an atom or ion
ethical perspective: a perspective that bases decisions around accepted beliefs of a group
exothermic process: a change in matter that releases energy when it occurs
family: see group
group: a set of elements with similar chemical properties; the elements in a vertical column in the main part of the periodic table; also called a family
hydrate: a substance containing loosely bonded water molecules
intermolecular: existing or acting between molecules
intramolecular force: the relatively strong bonds or forces of attraction and repulsion within a molecule; typically covalent bonds
ion: an entity with a net positive or net negative electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons
ionic bond: the simultaneous attraction among positive and negative ions
ionic compound: a pure substance formed from the bond between a metal and a non-metal
kinetic molecular theory: the idea that the smallest entities of a substance—atoms, ions, or molecules—are in continuous motion, colliding with each other and objects in their path
molecular compound: a pure substance formed by covalently bonded non-metal atoms
molecule: an entity consisting of a group of non-metal atoms held together by covalent bonds
monatomic ion: a positively or negatively charged particle formed from a single atom by the loss or gain of electrons; also known as a simple ion
multiperspective view: a view based upon many perspectives on an issue, including both pro and con statements from each perspective
multi-valent: the ability of an atom to exist as ions with different charges
neutral: having neither acidic nor basic properties; having a net charge of zero (electrically neutral)
neutron: an uncharged subatomic particle present in the nuclei of most atoms
noble gas: elements listed in column 18 of the periodic table that demonstrate limited chemical reactivity
nuclear change: a process that causes an alteration to the composition of an atom’s nucleus
period: a horizontal row of elements in the periodic table whose properties gradually change from metallic to non-metallic from left to right along the row
physical change: any change in the form of a substance in which the chemical composition does not change
political perspective: a perspective, either pro or con, relating to vote-getting actions or campaigning
polyatomic ion: a combination of two or more non-metal atoms that have a net charge not equal to zero
protons: positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus
radiation: energy released or transmitted in the form of rays, waves, or particles
scientific perspective: a perspective, either pro or con, relating to researching (describing, explaining, and predicting) natural and technological phenomena
societal perspective: a perspective that focuses on ways in which society functions and the ways in which people interact
solubility: the concentration of a saturated solution at a specified temperature
technological perspective: a perspective, either pro or con, referring to the development and use of machines, instruments, and processes that have a social purpose
water of crystallization: water within a crystal, which is necessary for the maintenance of crystalline properties but capable of being removed by sufficient heat