What is an oxidation number?
the number that represents the number of electrons (the charge) that an atom in a compound must gain or lose to return to its neutral state
What is a polyatomic ion?
covalently bonded groups of atoms that carry a charge
What is nomencalture?
a system of naming used in chemistry
What is a reactant?
an element or compound that undergoes a chemical change that is written to the left of the arrow
What is a product?
an element or compound that is produced from a chemical reaction and is written to the right of the arrow
What is the law of conservation of mass?
matter cannot be created or destroyed
What is a balanced chemical equation?
a chemical equation in which coefficients are arranged to show the conservation of mass in a reaction
What is a coefficient?
a number that appears in front of a chemical formula and indicates how many atoms, ions, molecules, or formula units are present
What is a reversible reaction?
reaction occurs in the reverse direction as well as the forward direction
What is a precipitate?
a solid that separates out of the solution during a chemical reaction
What is a catalyst?
substances that change the rate of the reaction but do not undergo permanent changes themselves
What is a synthesis reaction?
combine 2 or more substances into a single product
What is a decomposition reaction?
a reactant breaks down into 2 or more simpler products, usually requiring an input of energy
What is a single replacement reaction?
a reaction in which a reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a compound
What is a double replacement?
2 compounds switch partners
What is an ionic equation?
represents all the particles present before and after the reaction
What is a spectator ion?
ions that appear in the reactants and in the products
What is a net ionic equation?
shows only the ions that actually react, omitting spectator ions
