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Chapter 2 Chemistry

The document outlines the chemical context of life, emphasizing the importance of elements and compounds, with 25 essential elements for life, primarily C, H, O, and N. It discusses atomic structure, isotopes, electron energy levels, and how these factors influence chemical behavior and bonding, including covalent and ionic bonds. Additionally, it highlights the significance of molecular shape in determining biological function and the nature of chemical reactions.

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11 views24 pages

Chapter 2 Chemistry

The document outlines the chemical context of life, emphasizing the importance of elements and compounds, with 25 essential elements for life, primarily C, H, O, and N. It discusses atomic structure, isotopes, electron energy levels, and how these factors influence chemical behavior and bonding, including covalent and ionic bonds. Additionally, it highlights the significance of molecular shape in determining biological function and the nature of chemical reactions.

Uploaded by

But Nobody Came
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The chemical context of life!

Element vs Compound

• Elements combine and give rise to


compounds
• This gives way to a new emergent
property!
Life requires 25 chemical
elements
• 96% is made of:
– C, H, O, N

• Minerals: Ca, P,
K, S, Na, Cl, Mg

• Trace elements:
needed in very
small amounts
Atomic structure
determines behavior of
elements
• Subatomical
particles: P, N, E
• Atomic number
• Atomic mass
Isotopes
• Radioactive
decay
• Neutron

•P + E
• Becomes a
new element
• Releases
energy
Isotopes can be used as
labels
Energy levels of
electrons
• Electrons: due to
position relative
to nucleus

• The farther from


nucleus, the more
potential energy
an electron has
Electrons can only occupy fixed
locations

• Electron
shells:
different
states of
potential
energy an
electron
can occupy
The chemical behavior of an atom is
determined by the distribution of
electrons in electron shells
2 electrons per orbital
• Electrons
prefer to
occupy
separate
orbitals
• Reactivity
arises from
unpaired
electrons
Chemical properties of an element
are determined by the valence
shell!
• Atoms with
incomplete
valence shells
can share or
transfer
valence
electrons with
certain other
atoms
The sharing or transfering of electrons
depends on an element’s
electronegativity

• Electronegativity
= attraction to
electron
• Strong
electronegativity
leads to
attracting
valence electrons
of other atoms
Electronegativity
Strength
• The more protons an
atom has, the stronger
the pull of its
electrons
(electronegativity)

• The further the


valence electrons, the
harder it is to hold on
to them

• So…what is the
electronegativity trend
in the periodic table?
• These interactions
usually result in
atoms staying close
together, held by
attractions called
chemical bonds
Varying Degrees of
Electronegativity in Atoms
Lead to Different Kinds of
Chemical Bonding

Covalent Nonpolar Covalent Polar Ionic


Bond
Covalent Bond:
Molecules
• Nonpolar:
– Atoms of similar
electronegative
value leads to the
equal sharing of
electrons

• Polar:
– The shared electron
remains closer to the
most electronegative
atom
– Leads to forming a
dipole with partial
charges
Ionic Bonding

• Forms ionic compounds or salt


• An electron is transferred to the
most electronegative atom
– Cation: +
– Anion: -
Weak chemical bonds

• Reinforce
shapes of
large
molecules
and help
molecules
adhere to
each other
Hydrogen Bond
• A hydrogen atom
covalently bonded
to a very
electronegative
atom has a partial
positive charge +δ

• It can form a weak -δ


bond with an atom
that has a negative
partial charge
Van der Waals
Interactions
• Electrons by
chance might
accumulate in
one area
• Temporary
dipole
• Molecules that
are close might
be attracted
• Collectively such
interactions can
be strong
A molecule’s biological
function is related to its
• shape is determinedshape!
by
arrangement of shared
orbitals

• Molecules with similar


shape have similar
biological functions
Chemical reactions

• Reactants vs products
• Chemical equilibrium

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