We’ve Got Chemistry! Vocabulary
Chemistry: the study of the properties and makeup of substances and the changes they
undergo.
Atom: the smallest particle of an element which can exist and still retain the properties of that
element.
Molecule: smallest particle of a compound which can normally exist by itself and still have the
properties of that substance.
Nucleus: the central portion of an atom, where the protons and neutrons are located.
Proton: a positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom.
Neutron: a neutral, uncharged particle in the nucleus of an atom.
Electron: a negatively charged particle in an atom.
Electron Shell: electrons of an atom revolve in shells about the nucleus; force of electrons’
orbits prevents them from being drawn into the nucleus.
States and Properties of Matter Vocabulary
Solid: one of the three main states of matter where the particles are bonded rigidly together.
Liquid: one of the three main states of matter where particles can move, but not
independently.
Gas: one of the three main states of matter where particles travel freely at very a very high
speed.
Mass: measure of the amount of matter in an object.
Volume: amount of space taken up by matter.
Density: amount of mass for a certain volume; how much matter packed in the space an object
fills.
Vacuum: the absence of matter
Elements and Compounds Vocabulary
Element: simple substance made up of atoms with the same atomic number; the building
blocks of matter.
Compound: substance that is made up of the atoms of more than one chemical element.
Periodic Table of Elements: simple chart displaying all the chemical elements; arrangement
brings out relationships between elements.
Group: column of elements going down the periodic table.
Period: row going across the periodic table.
Atomic Number: number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.