Atomic Structure Flashcards
What sub-atomic particles is an atom made up of?
It’s nucleus and its’ shells.
It is also made up of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Where are protons in an atom?
The nucleus
Where are neutrons in an atom?
The nucleus
Where are electrons in an atom?
The shells
What is a shell?
Shells are the layers inside atoms where you are likely to find electrons. They are sometimes called energy levels or clouds of probability.
What are the relative charges for protons, neutrons and electrons?
Protons = +1 (pro - positive)
Neutrons = 0 (neut - neutral)
Electrons = -1
What are the relative masses for protons, neutrons and electrons?
Protons = 1
Neutrons = 1
Electrons = 1/2000 (or just negligible)
All atoms have zero charge, therefore . . .
The number of positive protons must equal the number of negative neutrons.
Which sub-atomic particle is always the same for a specific element?
Protons. The amount of protons determines which element it is.
How do you work out how many protons there are in an atom using the periodic table?
The atomic number is the number of protons.
How do you work out how many neutrons there are in an atom on the periodic table?
The relative atomic mass - the atomic number = the amount of neutrons.
How do you work out how many electrons there are in an atom on the periodic table?
To find out the amount of protons, look at the atomic number.
The amount of protons and the amount of electrons are equal.
How many electrons is the maximum that you can have in the second shell of an atom?
8
How many electrons is the maximum that you can have in the first shell of an atom?
2
How many electrons is the maximum that you can have in the third shell of an atom? (for the first 20 elements)
8
