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2: A Brief Overview of Chemistry

  • Page ID
    127877
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    • 2.1: Elements and Atoms - The Building Blocks of Matter
      This page covers essential concepts in chemistry, including matter, elements, compounds, atoms, and subatomic particles. It defines matter and outlines that it consists of 92 elements, which are pure substances that cannot be chemically broken down. Atoms, the building blocks of elements, comprise protons, neutrons, and electrons, with the atomic number denoting the element's identity and the mass number representing the total of protons and neutrons.
    • 2.2: Chemical Bonds
      This page covers the formation of chemical bonds, focusing on molecules and compounds, including ions, cations, anions, and differences in covalent bonding. It highlights the essential role of water in breaking ionic bonds and facilitating biological electrical activity, while explaining hydrogen bonding in water and its implications.
    • 2.3: Inorganic Compounds Essential to Human Functioning
      This page explains the action of buffers, which are vital for stabilizing pH in biological systems by neutralizing excess acids or bases. Buffers, made of weak acids and their conjugate bases, prevent conditions like acidosis and alkalosis, which can disrupt homeostasis. These pH imbalances may result from various physiological issues, emphasizing the importance of understanding acid-base balance and the role of inorganic compounds in sustaining life.
    • 2.4: Review Questions


    2: A Brief Overview of Chemistry is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.