Geochemistry Definitions (correct answers)
Aristotle correct answers 350 B.C. Four components; earth, air, water, fire.
Alchemists correct answers Attempted to use the "spirit of earth" (energy and materials)
to convert materials into silver and gold.
Boyle correct answers 1660 discovers the element hydrogen.
James Hutton correct answers Father of modern geology. Published his book "Theory
of the Earth" in 1795.
Schonbein correct answers The Swiss chemist who first used "geochemistry" as a term
in 1838.
F.W. Clark correct answers Published extensive tables of chemical data on rocks,
water, and the atmosphere. Each rock is a chemical system in which changes can be
brought about. Changes imply that a disturbance of the system has occurred.
V.M. Goldshmidt correct answers Norwegian father of geochemistry (work in early
1930's). Quantitative determination of distribution of elements in the Earth systems.
Describes laws (mechanistic processes) which control the distribution of elements in
Earth. System interactions- minerals, water, biota. Determined relationships between
the ionic radii and charge for the substitution of different elements in materials.
Hypothesis correct answers A plausible explanation that attempts to answer a question
about your observations. It has not been rigorously tested nor is it generally accepted by
a large audience.
Data Verification correct answers To replicate data/ observation independently but a
separate observer, team of observers, or laboratory. Preferably by a different technique
or instrument to assure that the data is accurate.
Stephen Hawking Definition of Theory correct answers 1) Must accurately describe
large class of observations on basis of model. 2) Predict future observations. 3) A
theory cannot be proven, but it can be falsified.
Sub- Atomic Particles correct answers Major components: nucleus (protons + neutrons)
plus orbital electrons arranged in shell or cloud like structure around the nucleus.
Neutron correct answers (N), Atomic mass: 1, Charge: None
Proton correct answers (P) (z), Atomic mass: 1, Charge: Positive
Electron correct answers (e-), Atomic mass: 1/1840, Charge: Negative
,What defines the element? correct answers The number of protons.
What defines atomic mass? correct answers The number of protons and neutrons.
This strongly influences physical behavior of atoms.
What influences chemical reactions- bonding between atoms? correct answers
Electrons, especially in the outer- shell.
Atomic Number correct answers The number of protons contained within an atom.
Thus, the number of protons determined what an element is.
Atomic Mass correct answers The mass of a given number of atoms- defined for one
mole of a substance given in grams per mole. More simply, the number of protons and
neutrons.
Isotope correct answers Given atoms of the same element (same number of protons)
that have a different mass due to varying numbers of neutrons.
Superscripted to the upper left of atom symbol correct answers Number of protons +
number of neutrons. The atomic (isotopic) mass.
Subscripted to the lower left of atom symbol correct answers Number of protons. This is
often omitted as it is redundant for the element name, ie. all atoms of oxygen have 8
protons.
Superscripted to upper right correct answers Ionic charge. "+" "-" or "0". If blank
assumed to be zero.
Subscripted to lower right correct answers This is the number of atoms in molecular the
molecular group. If it is blank, then assume it to be one.
Dimitri Mendeleev correct answers A Russian chemist who in 1869 developed the
periodic table of elements. He published before Julius Lothar Meyer from Germany. He
left blank boxes for undiscovered elements. He predicted properties of undiscovered
elements.
Periodic Table of Elements correct answers Elements are arranged by increasing
atomic number (1 to 118). Horizontal rows are atoms with similar physical properties-
mass progressively increasing left- to- right by addition of protons + neutrons. Vertical
columns related by outer most shell electron structure, elements in same vertical
column often display similar chemical properties.
Ions correct answers Non charge balanced atoms.
Cations correct answers Ions that have a positive charge.
, Anions correct answers Ions that have a negative charge.
Covalent Bonds correct answers Equally shared electrons between atoms. This is the
strongest type of chemical bond.
Ionic Bonds correct answers Electrons unequally shared between atoms. Electrons are
shared but reside with one type of atom for a longer time period than the other. A
moderately strong type of bond.
Metallic Bond correct answers Transferred electrons along chain of molecules. Weakly
bound electrons freely move throughout structure without disrupting the structure. This
gives rise to electric and head conductivity properties of metals.
Van der Waals Forces correct answers Electrostatic attraction, no electron transfer. A
very wear bond type, easy to break. Effective over relatively large distances (weak
charges but over very long distances). This force can bind neutral charged- polarized
molecules. Often defines a plane of weakness in mineral structures.
Hydrogen Bonds correct answers Electrostatic. A specialized case of Van der Waals.
Bonded electron from hydrogen atom, leaves the hydrogen nucleus unshielded.
Exposed hydrogen proton produces a positive electrostatic charge. Responsible for
polarized charge distribution in water and organic molecules.
The amount of energy required to break a bond depends on: correct answers 1) Center-
to- center spacing between ions, stronger bonds for ions closer together.
2) Total charge transfer (number of shared electrons).
3) Type of bond
Bonds ranked stronger to weakest. correct answers Strongest: Covalent> Ionic>
Metallic> Hydrogen> Van der Waals: Weakest
Electronegativity correct answers Relative ability of an atom to attract electrons to itself.
Bonds are generally covalent if these values are similar between two atoms. Bonds
generally ionic if these values strongly contrast between atoms.
Percent ionic character correct answers 1-e^[(-0.25(XA-XB)]^2
XA and XB are electronegativity values. A higher percent ionic character has a weaker
bond, and is predicted to be more soluble.
What are the 4 terrestrial "rocky" planets? correct answers Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars.
What are the 4 gas giant planets? correct answers Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
What is the larges asteroid? correct answers Ceres, 913 km in diameter. Thousands of
asteroids orbit between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Jupiters gravity is so big it
Aristotle correct answers 350 B.C. Four components; earth, air, water, fire.
Alchemists correct answers Attempted to use the "spirit of earth" (energy and materials)
to convert materials into silver and gold.
Boyle correct answers 1660 discovers the element hydrogen.
James Hutton correct answers Father of modern geology. Published his book "Theory
of the Earth" in 1795.
Schonbein correct answers The Swiss chemist who first used "geochemistry" as a term
in 1838.
F.W. Clark correct answers Published extensive tables of chemical data on rocks,
water, and the atmosphere. Each rock is a chemical system in which changes can be
brought about. Changes imply that a disturbance of the system has occurred.
V.M. Goldshmidt correct answers Norwegian father of geochemistry (work in early
1930's). Quantitative determination of distribution of elements in the Earth systems.
Describes laws (mechanistic processes) which control the distribution of elements in
Earth. System interactions- minerals, water, biota. Determined relationships between
the ionic radii and charge for the substitution of different elements in materials.
Hypothesis correct answers A plausible explanation that attempts to answer a question
about your observations. It has not been rigorously tested nor is it generally accepted by
a large audience.
Data Verification correct answers To replicate data/ observation independently but a
separate observer, team of observers, or laboratory. Preferably by a different technique
or instrument to assure that the data is accurate.
Stephen Hawking Definition of Theory correct answers 1) Must accurately describe
large class of observations on basis of model. 2) Predict future observations. 3) A
theory cannot be proven, but it can be falsified.
Sub- Atomic Particles correct answers Major components: nucleus (protons + neutrons)
plus orbital electrons arranged in shell or cloud like structure around the nucleus.
Neutron correct answers (N), Atomic mass: 1, Charge: None
Proton correct answers (P) (z), Atomic mass: 1, Charge: Positive
Electron correct answers (e-), Atomic mass: 1/1840, Charge: Negative
,What defines the element? correct answers The number of protons.
What defines atomic mass? correct answers The number of protons and neutrons.
This strongly influences physical behavior of atoms.
What influences chemical reactions- bonding between atoms? correct answers
Electrons, especially in the outer- shell.
Atomic Number correct answers The number of protons contained within an atom.
Thus, the number of protons determined what an element is.
Atomic Mass correct answers The mass of a given number of atoms- defined for one
mole of a substance given in grams per mole. More simply, the number of protons and
neutrons.
Isotope correct answers Given atoms of the same element (same number of protons)
that have a different mass due to varying numbers of neutrons.
Superscripted to the upper left of atom symbol correct answers Number of protons +
number of neutrons. The atomic (isotopic) mass.
Subscripted to the lower left of atom symbol correct answers Number of protons. This is
often omitted as it is redundant for the element name, ie. all atoms of oxygen have 8
protons.
Superscripted to upper right correct answers Ionic charge. "+" "-" or "0". If blank
assumed to be zero.
Subscripted to lower right correct answers This is the number of atoms in molecular the
molecular group. If it is blank, then assume it to be one.
Dimitri Mendeleev correct answers A Russian chemist who in 1869 developed the
periodic table of elements. He published before Julius Lothar Meyer from Germany. He
left blank boxes for undiscovered elements. He predicted properties of undiscovered
elements.
Periodic Table of Elements correct answers Elements are arranged by increasing
atomic number (1 to 118). Horizontal rows are atoms with similar physical properties-
mass progressively increasing left- to- right by addition of protons + neutrons. Vertical
columns related by outer most shell electron structure, elements in same vertical
column often display similar chemical properties.
Ions correct answers Non charge balanced atoms.
Cations correct answers Ions that have a positive charge.
, Anions correct answers Ions that have a negative charge.
Covalent Bonds correct answers Equally shared electrons between atoms. This is the
strongest type of chemical bond.
Ionic Bonds correct answers Electrons unequally shared between atoms. Electrons are
shared but reside with one type of atom for a longer time period than the other. A
moderately strong type of bond.
Metallic Bond correct answers Transferred electrons along chain of molecules. Weakly
bound electrons freely move throughout structure without disrupting the structure. This
gives rise to electric and head conductivity properties of metals.
Van der Waals Forces correct answers Electrostatic attraction, no electron transfer. A
very wear bond type, easy to break. Effective over relatively large distances (weak
charges but over very long distances). This force can bind neutral charged- polarized
molecules. Often defines a plane of weakness in mineral structures.
Hydrogen Bonds correct answers Electrostatic. A specialized case of Van der Waals.
Bonded electron from hydrogen atom, leaves the hydrogen nucleus unshielded.
Exposed hydrogen proton produces a positive electrostatic charge. Responsible for
polarized charge distribution in water and organic molecules.
The amount of energy required to break a bond depends on: correct answers 1) Center-
to- center spacing between ions, stronger bonds for ions closer together.
2) Total charge transfer (number of shared electrons).
3) Type of bond
Bonds ranked stronger to weakest. correct answers Strongest: Covalent> Ionic>
Metallic> Hydrogen> Van der Waals: Weakest
Electronegativity correct answers Relative ability of an atom to attract electrons to itself.
Bonds are generally covalent if these values are similar between two atoms. Bonds
generally ionic if these values strongly contrast between atoms.
Percent ionic character correct answers 1-e^[(-0.25(XA-XB)]^2
XA and XB are electronegativity values. A higher percent ionic character has a weaker
bond, and is predicted to be more soluble.
What are the 4 terrestrial "rocky" planets? correct answers Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars.
What are the 4 gas giant planets? correct answers Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
What is the larges asteroid? correct answers Ceres, 913 km in diameter. Thousands of
asteroids orbit between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Jupiters gravity is so big it
