Biology - Atoms and Molecules

atom

a small particle, too small to see, that makes up all things. Consists of 3 parts (P,E,N).

negative ion

an atom that gains an electron

positive ion

an atom that loses an electron

ion

an atom that loses or gains an electron

2-8-8 rule

atoms want to fill their valance orbitals with 2, 8 or 8 electrons (for the first three). This desire CONTROLS BONDING, CHEMISTRY, THE WORLD AND THE UNIVERSE.

ionic bond

attraction between negative and positive ions resulting in their attachment to one another.

nuclear charge

because all nuclei of all atoms everywhere have just protons and neutrons, every nucleus of every atom everywhere is POSITIVELY charged.

nucleus

central core of an atom. Houses neutrons and protons.

Proton

has weight, lives in the nucleus of an atom, has a positive charge.

Neutron

has weight, lives in the nucleus of an atom, has no charge.

valence

outside, the outermost part, usually refers to electrons and their orbits

Electron

weighs nothing, lives in orbit AROUND the nucleus, has a negative charge. Controls bonding. Controls chemistry. Controls the Universe.

atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

atomic neutrality

All atoms everywhere are NORMALLY balanced when it comes to electrical charge. That is, the positive charges should equal the negative charges. Atomic number is not only thw proton number but also the electron number.

valence electrons

the electrons in the outermost orbital of an atom