STRUCTURE
matter = anything that takes up space and has
mass; amount determines mass of object
elements = cannot be broken down into simpler
form by ordinary chemical means
1. forms of matter that contain only one type of
atom
2. symbol of one or two letters represent each
3. periodic table = system for classifying
elements
4. most abundant elements in universe =
hydrogen & helium
5. silicon & oxygen make up 75% of earth’s
crust; 92 natural elements
atoms = smallest unit of an element that has
all the properties of that element
1. cannot be broken down into smaller
particles by ordinary processes
2. determines structure; arrangement and
types give matter its properties
ATOMIC STRUCTURE
1. nucleus = core (center)
a. protons = positive charge (p+)
b. neutrons = neutral; no charge (n)
c. has an overall positive charge due to
protons
2. electron cloud = area around the nucleus
a. electrons = negative charge (e-)
b. electrons can be anywhere within the
cloud
c. not considered in the mass of an atom
d. closer to nucleus → lower energy; far
away from nucleus → higher energy
atomic number = number of protons in
nucleus
1. also equals the number of electrons
2. unique to each element
3. when number of p+ equals the number of
e- → atom is neutral
4. if number of p+ change → new element
mass number = number of p+ and n in nucleus
1. measured with special unit called atomic
mass unit (u)
2. * increase in mass as number of p+ and n
increase
3. can use mass number and atomic number
to determine the number of protons,
neutrons, and electrons in an element
[rainwater: pH = 5.0 to
5.6 normally]
Acid
STATES OF MATTER
1. solid = atoms/molecules in fixed position
a. vibrate around a fixed point
b. has definite shape, definite volume
c. most have crystalline structure = particles arranged
in regular geometric patterns
1) crystals for symmetrical solid objects with flat
faces and straight edges between faces
2) well formed crystals are rare
3) polycrystalline substance = mass of intergrown
crystals
d. glass = molten material cooled
so quickly atoms do
not have time to arrange
2. liquid = atoms/molecules free to move
a. remain close as change positions
b. has no definite shape, but has definite
volume
c. usually takes the shape of the container
3. gas = atoms/molecules move freely and independently
a. particles are farther apart and move
faster
b. formless collection of particles that
tends to expand in all directions at once
c. has no definite shape, no definite volume
4. plasma = composed of ions and electrons
a. higher energy than gas
b. most matter in universe is in this state
c. exist at very high temperatures
Ex: sun and other stars
Changing the state of matter:
1. freezing point = liquid → solid
2. boiling point = liquid → gas
3. melting point = solid → liquid
4. evaporation (vaporization) = liquid changes to
a gas gradually at temperatures below the
boiling point
a. can occur at any temperature
b. much slower than boiling
c. considered a cooling process
5. condensation = when a gas changes to a liquid
a. gas will condense when cooled to its boiling point
or below
b. can occur when gas comes in contact with a cool
surface
c. occurs at the condensation point
d. considered a warming process
6. sublimation = solid changes directly into a gas
without going through the liquid phase
Ex: dry ice
7. deposition = gas or vapor changes directly into solid
without changing to a liquid
Ex: frost
State of matter determined by:
1. attraction between atoms / molecules
2. rate of movement