Atomic Structure Flashcards
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Read the first 5 Atomic Structure flashcards as text
What is the atomic number of an element?
Answer: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus
The atomic number (Z) is fundamentally defined by the number of protons found in an atom's nucleus. This unique count of protons determines the identity of an element and its position on the periodic table, distinguishing it from all other elements.
Which subatomic particles are located in the nucleus of an atom?
Answer: Protons and neutrons
The nucleus of an atom is the dense, central core where the majority of an atom's mass is concentrated. It is composed of positively charged protons and neutral neutrons, while electrons orbit the nucleus in electron shells.
What is the charge of an electron?
Answer: Negative
Electrons are fundamental subatomic particles that carry a single negative elementary charge. This negative charge is crucial for their role in forming chemical bonds and interacting with other atoms.
Isotopes of an element differ in the number of which subatomic particle?
Answer: Neutrons
Isotopes are atoms of the same element, meaning they share the same number of protons and thus the same atomic number. They differ in their mass number because they have varying numbers of neutrons in their nucleus, leading to different atomic masses.
Which of the following best describes the mass number of an atom?
Answer: The sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus
The mass number (A) of an atom represents the total count of protons and neutrons residing in its nucleus. It provides an approximate measure of the atom's mass in atomic mass units, as electrons contribute negligibly to the overall mass.