Atomic Structure Flashcards
What is the charge of a proton?
+1.60x10^-19 (C)
What is an ion?
A particle with a different number of electrons to protons
What are isotopes?
- atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons
What happens to unstable nuclei?
May be radioactive and decay into different nuclei to make themselves more stable
What can radioactive isotopes be used for?
They can be used to find out how old stuff is
How can radioactive isotopes be used to find out how old stuff is?
- all living things contain the same % of radioactive carbon 14 taken in from the atmosphere
- after they die, the amount of carbon 114 inside them decreases over time as it decays to stable elements
- scientists can calculate the approximate age of archaeological finds made from the dead organic matter (wood, bone, etc) by using the isotopic data to find the % of radioactive carbon 14 that’s left in the object
What is isotopic data?
The amount of each isotope present
What is specific charge?
The ratio of a particle’s charge to its mass, given in coulombs per kilogram (Ckg^-1)
Specific charge = charge / mass
What is the mass of a proton?
1.67x10^-27 kg
What is the relative charge of a proton?
+1
What is the relative mass of a proton?
1
What is the charge of a neutron?
0
What is the mass of a neutron?
1.67x10^-27 kg
What is the relative charge of a neutron?
0
What is the relative mass of a neutron?
1
