Chapter 2- The Nature of Molecules

 

Look at ALL of the figures EXCEPT 2.19 and 2.20, and read the figure legends for comprehension. That means that if you have a question about the figure after you have read the legend, you should look in the text for further explanation, or ask for clarification from me or another student in the class.


***************************************************************

lecture notes:

matter- occupies space and has mass
	composed of atoms
atom
	nucleus
		protons (+) & neutrons
			# protons determines atomic number
	electrons (-)
		usually one per proton
atomic mass = # protons + # neutrons (each ~ 1 dalton)
	electrons weigh much less
	(mass is same regardless of gravitation, 
	weight changes with gravity)
element- (behavior determined by # protons)
	any substance that cannot be broken down to 
	 any other substance  by ordinary chemical means
isotope-
	same element with different # neutrons
	some elements (like carbon) have several naturally-
	 occurring isotopes
		some are unstable
			break down to lower elements
				= radioactive decay
radioactive isotopes 
	different stabilities
	but decay of isotope is constant
		half-life (half atoms in sample to decay)
			14C is 5600 years
			used to date rocks & fossils

 
ions-atoms whose electrons don't equal protons
	cation (positive charge)
		fewer electrons
	anion (negative charge)
		more electrons
# electrons determines behavior of atoms
	orbital
		area where electron likely to be found
		can only contain 2 electrons
		has different levels (energy levels)
			1,2
		has different shapes
			s, p
potential energy- based on position
	electron farther from nucleus, more p. energy
		move to higher orbital
		example:  how chloraphyll capture energy
oxidation- loss of electron to another atom
reduction- gain of electron from another atom

Periodic Table:
92 naturally occurring elements
patterns of chemical properties repeated in groups of 8
	due to valence electrons (out ring of orbitals)
		those that have all outer electorns are inert
		those with 1 or 7 are highly reactive
		behavior of atoms therefore predictable
4 are common in living bodies
	oxygen, hydrogen, carbon & nitrogen
	not the same proportion as earth's crust


Chemical bonds hold atoms together (molecule)

Ionic bonds
	atoms of opposite charges attract
	Na+ Cl- to form table salt crystals
	bonds not betw particular ions

Covalent bonds
	when two atoms share electron pairs
	stable bonds
		no net charge
		octet rule is satisfied
		no free electrons
		betw two particular ions
	single bonds
		atoms share one electron
		weaker bond
	double bonds
		atoms share two electrons
		stronger bond

WATER
	only molecule to exist as liquid at earth's temps
	influenced evolution of life due to it's presence
	stable molecular structure:
		held together by covalent bonds
			one oxygen
			two hydrogens
		forms a polar molecule
			electrons more drawn to O
				has slight negative charge (d-)
				Hs have slight positive charge
			results in tetrahedral shape
			analogy: polar ends like a magnet
			one of the most polar molecules known
	polar molecules interact with each other
		d- attracted to d+ of other molecule
			known as hydrogen bonds
				(often involve hydrogen)
				weak & transient
				but powerful cumulatively
		cohesion
			water molecule attracted to other water
		adhesion
			water molecule attracted to diff polar subst.
				e.g., glass
	water stores heat
		H bonds absorb heat when broken
		H bonds release heat when formed
		water forms many H bonds, so it takes a lot of heat 
		 to break enough H bonds to make water 
		 evaporate
			water has high specific heat
				heat absorbed or lost to change 
				 temp by 1 degree C
		therefore organisms hold temp well (mostly water)
		also high heat of vaporization
			power of evaporative cooling
	water is a solvent
		because of H bonds
			hydration shells form around molecules
				both ions and polar molecules
	water excludes nonpolar molecules (like oil)
		makes them associate
	water ionizes to make H+ and OH-
		at r.t. 10-7 mole of H+ ions
		pH = -log[H+] = 7
			pH is a log scale
		since there are an equal # OH-, it's neutral
	anything that contributes H+ is an acid
	anything that binds to H+ is a base