⚗️

Basic Concepts in Chemistry

Sep 12, 2025

Overview

The lecture discussed the basic concepts of mass, mole, and classifications of elements, molecules, and compounds, using the periodic table as a basis.

Mass and Mole

  • Mass refers to weight.
  • Mole refers to the number of particles.
  • Atomic mass — weight of an atom, measured in AMU (atomic mass unit).
  • Molar mass — weight of one mole of a substance, measured in grams/mole.
  • Molecular mass and molar mass are the same, meaning the total weight of a group of atoms or molecules.
  • Formula mass — weight of the formula unit of an ionic compound like NaCl.

Classification of Substances

  • Element — composed of one type of atom (e.g., S8, N2).
  • Compound — has two or more types of atoms (e.g., H2O, NH3).
  • Molecule — group of two or more atoms, which may be the same or different types.
  • Not all molecules are compounds, and not all elements are molecules.
  • Diatomic elements — molecules that always have two atoms (e.g., O2, N2, H2, Cl2, F2, Br2, I2).

Periodic Table and Groups

  • Alkali metals: Group 1 (Halina kay Ruby Si Friday Na).
  • Alkaline earth metals: Group 2 (Be-Mag-Dusa-Ka-Senora-Barbara).
  • Transition metals — variable charges, no need to memorize.
  • Icosagens — proper name for the boron group (Group 3).
  • Crystallogens — name for the carbon group (Group 4); carbon and silicon both form crystals.
  • Halogens — F, Cl, Br, I; most reactive.
  • Noble gases — inert or non-reactive.
  • The color in the periodic table indicates if the element is a gas (red) or liquid (blue).

Carbon and Allotropes

  • Carbon has many forms (allotropes): diamond, graphite, activated carbon, fullerene.
  • Allotropes — same element but different properties/physical forms.

Application & Calculations

  • To find molar mass: Multiply the number of each element by its mass, then total.
  • Example: Baking soda (NaHCO3): Na=22, H=1, C=12, O=16x3 = 48; total = 84 g/mole.

Atomic Structure & Isotopes

  • Nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons (nucleons).
  • Isotopes — same number of protons but different neutrons.
  • Isotones — same neutrons.
  • Isoelectronic — same electrons.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Mass — weight of a substance.
  • Mole — number of particles (Avogadro’s number: 6.02 x 10²³).
  • Atomic mass unit (AMU) — unit of atom weight.
  • Molar mass — weight of one mole (grams/mole).
  • Formula mass — weight of the formula unit of an ionic compound.
  • Isotope — atoms of the same element but different neutrons.
  • Allotrope — different forms of an element.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Answer and complete the table in the notebook: element, molecule, compound.
  • Familiarize yourself with the positions of the groups in the periodic table.
  • Learn the molar mass of some common compounds using the periodic table.
  • Rest for 30 minutes; return to class at 8:45 for computations.