Basic Chemistry Concepts

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Atom

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The smallest unit of an element, made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. It is the basic building block of matter.

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Proton

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A positively charged particle found in the nucleus (center) of an atom. It helps determine the element's identity.

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Neutron

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A particle with no charge (neutral) found in the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons, along with protons, make up the atom's mass.

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Electron

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A negatively charged particle that orbits around the nucleus of an atom. Electrons play a key role in chemical reactions.

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Valence Electrons

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The electrons in the outermost shell (energy level) of an atom. They are important in forming bonds with other atoms.

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Quarks

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Tiny particles that make up protons and neutrons. There are six different types of quarks, but protons and neutrons are made of up and down quarks.

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Atomic number

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The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It determines the identity of the element.

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Mass Number

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The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus. It gives the atom's approximate mass.

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Groups

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The vertical columns in the periodic table. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties and the same number of valence electrons.

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Period

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The horizontal rows in the periodic table. As you move across a period, the properties of elements change in a predictable way.