2.2: Nuclei, Ions, and Molecules

Unit 3 Objectives

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe nuclear structure in terms of protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Recognize the role of mass defect and binding energy for nuclei in atomic masses
• Explain trends in the relative stability of nuclei
• Identify common modes of radioactive decay
• Write and balance nuclear equations
• Describe half-life and common radiometric dating techniques
• Explain the organization of elements in the periodic table and predict their general properties based on their location within the periodic table
• Symbolize the composition of molecules using molecular and empirical formulas
• Represent the bonding arrangement of atoms within molecules using structural formulas
• Define ionic and molecular (covalent) compounds
• Predict the type of compound formed from elements based on their location within the periodic table
• Determine formulas for simple ionic compounds
• Derive names for common types of inorganic compounds using a systematic approach