Chapter 4, Prentice Hall Physical Science
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Atom
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the basic particle from which all elements are made.
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Electron
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a negatively charged particle that is found outside the nucleus of an atom.
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Nucleus
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the central core of the atom.
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Proton
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a positively charged particle that is part of an atom's nucleus.
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Energy level
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the specific amount of energy an electron has.
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Neutron
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a small particle in the nucleus of the atom, with no electrical charge.
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Atomic number
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the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
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Isotope
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an atom with the same number of protons and a different number of neutrons from other atoms of the same element.
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Mass number
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the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
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Atomic mass
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the average mass of all the isotopes of an element.
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Periodic table
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a chart of the elements showing the repeating pattern of their properties.
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Period
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a horizontal row of elements in the periodic table.
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Group
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elements in the same vertical column of the periodic table; also called a family.
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Chemical symbol
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a one- or two-letter representation of an element.
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Metal
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a class of elements characterized by physical properties that include shininess, malleability, ductility, and conductivity.
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Malleable
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a term used to describe material that can be pounded into shapes.
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Ductile
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a term used to describe a material that can be pulled out into a long wire.
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Thermal conductivity
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the ability of an object to transfer heat.
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Electrical conductivity
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the ability of an object to transfer electric current.
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Reactivity
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the ease and speed with which an element combines, or reacts, with other elements and compounds.
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Corrosion
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the gradual wearing away of a metal element due to a chemical reaction.
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Alkali metal
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an element in Group 1 of the periodic table.
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Alkaline earth metal
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An element of Group 2 of the periodic table.
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Transition metal
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one of the elements in Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table.
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Particle Accelerator
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a machine that moves atomic nuclei at higher and higher speeds until they crash into one another, sometimes forming heavier elements.
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Nonmetal
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An element that lacks most properties of a metal.
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Diatomic molecule
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a molecule consisting of two atoms.
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Halogen
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an element found in Group 17 of the periodic table.
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Inert gas
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an element found in Group 18 of the periodic table.
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Semimetal
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an element that has some characteristics of both metals and nonmetals.
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Semiconductor
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a material that conducts current under certain conditions.
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radioactive decay
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A process in which the atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast- moving particles and energy
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radioactivity
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The spontaneous emission of radiation by an unstable atomic nucleus
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alpha particle
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Product of radioactive decay that consists of two protons and two neutrons and has a positive charge
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beta particle
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A fast-moving electron given off by a nucleus during radioactive decay
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gamma radiation
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High-energy waves given off during radioactive decay
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tracer
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Radioactive isotope that can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or industrial process
