| Anion | a negatively charged ion |
| Binary compound | a compound composed of only two elements |
| Cation | a positively charged ion. |
| Chemical nomenclature | the systematic naming of chemical compounds. |
| Inorganic compounds | compounds composed of elements other than carbon. A few simple compounds of carbon, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonates, and cyanides, are generally considered to be inorganic. |
| Metal | a substance or mixture that has a characteristic luster, or shine, is generally a good conductor of heat and electricity, and is malleable and ductile. |
| Nonmetal | an element that does not exhibit the characteristics of a metal |
| Organic compounds | compounds that can be thought of as derivatives of compounds of carbon and hydrogen |