Atomic Structure Flashcards
Define atom
the smallest unit of a chemical element that still holds the chemical properties of that element
Define molecule
a group of 2 or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, forming a stable and distinct entity
Describe the structure of an atom
a central nucleus: consisting of protons and neutrons. surrounding the nucleus are electrons.
What are the relative masses and sub-atomic charges of the particles?
protons: mass of 1, charge of 1+
neutrons: mass of 1, no charge
electrons: mass is too small to say, charge of 1-
Define atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of a specific element.
Define mass number
the total number of protons and neutrons in an atoms nucleus of a specific element.
Define isotopes
Different variants of an element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in their nucleus.
Define Relative Atomic Mass (Ar)
The average mass of all isotopes of an element
How do you find the relative atomic mass?
sum of both (isotope abundance x isotope mass) / sum of abundance of all isotopes (always 100)
What is isotope abundance?
the percentage of atoms with a specific atomic mass found naturally in a sample of that element.
how much of that isotope is found in a sample of that element.
What is isotope mass?
the mass number of that isotope/atom. it will be different to the normal mass number as it will have a different number of neutrons.
