Chapter 2

Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

Ch 2.1: Atomic Theory

Via Dalton:
Elements are composed of atoms (very
small)
Atoms of a single element are identical
to each other* and distinct from other
elements
Compounds are composed of atoms (>1
element) in a whole # ratio
Chemical reactions only rearrange
atoms;
none are created/destroyed

Ch. 2.2: Structure of the

Atom

Subatomic Particles
Protons
Positive charge (1+)
Mass = 1 amu

Neutrons
No charge
Mass = 1 amu
than proton)

(actually 0.2% more

Electrons
Negative charge (1-)
Almost zero mass (1000 xs smaller than
proton)

Neutral atoms:

Ch. 2.3: Isotopes

Atomic Number:
Defines the element

Mass Number:
Defines the isotope

Isotopes: same #p but different #n

Notation:
= hydrogen
= deuterium
= tritium

or: element-A
uranium-235
uranium-238

Example
For zinc-66:
A=
Z=
#p =
#n =
#e =

Ch. 2.5: Molecules and Ions

Molecules: >1 atom
H2 O2 O3 H2O CO2

etc.

Ions
Cations
Lost one (or more) electrons
Positive charge

Anions
Gained one (or more) electrons
Negative charge

 Periods = rows
Groups = columns
Similar properties within a group

Predictable Monatomic Ions

Example
Isotope

Protons

Neutron
s

Electron
s

Mn-54

Charge

41

20

10

18

16

18

Representing Molecules

Empirical Formula
Represents the lowest whole-# ratio
of elements in a molecule
Easier to determine experimentally
than the molecular formula
Write the Emp. Formula
C2H4
C2H6
C10H14N2
C6H12O6

Ionic Compounds
Cation and Anion
Needs to be charge-neutral overall
Predict the formula:
Potassium and chlorine
Sodium and oxygen
Calcium and sulfur
Magnesium and nitrogen

Polyatomic Ions

Example
Predict the formula
Aluminum and hydroxide ion
Zinc and cynanide ion
Lithium and phosphate ion
Aluminum and carbonate ion

Ch. 2.7: Naming

Ionic compounds:
State the cation first
Specify charge state only if there are
options

Followed by the anion

Use root and add ide for monatomic
anions
Use full name for polyatomic anion

NaCl = sodium chloride

Example
Name the following
Na2O
Mg3N2
Al(OH)3
CrN
Cr3N2
Fe2O3

Naming Hydrates
Same rules for the ionic part
Add [prefix]hydrate to the end
BaCl22H2O
MgSO47H2O
FeCl25H2O

Naming Molecular
Compounds
Use prefixes for each element

Prefix

Numb
er

Except, dont use mono for

the 1st element

Mono

Di

Add ide to the second

element
CO
CO2

Tri

Tetra

Penta

Hexa

Hepta

Octa

N2O4

Nona

Deca

10

P5S10

Naming Acids
Acids contain an H+ ion (more on this
later)
Binary acids:
Hydro-[root]-ic acid
HCl
HF
HBr
H2S

Naming Acids, 2
Oxyacids (made from oxy-polyatomic
ions)
No hydro!
Use root of anion, and change:
ate into ic
ite into ous

HNO3
HNO2
H2SO4
H2SO3