Atomic Structure Flashcards
Define atom
An atom is the smallest indivisible particle of an element that can take part in a chemical reaction
Define nuclide
Used to describe an atomic species of which the atomic number and mass number is specified
Define atomic number
Atomic number is number of protons present in an atom
Define mass number
Mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom
Why are atoms electrically neutral
The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons
Define isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons
Isotopes have __ chemical properties but __ physical properties
same(same number of electrons), different(different relative masses of isotopes)
Define orbital
A region of space around the nucleus with highest probability of locating the electrons
Difference between s orbitals
Differ in size, all spherical in shape
Difference between p orbitals
They have dumb-bell shape, different orientations in space
Maximum number of electrons in f subshell
14 (7 orbitals * 2 electrons each)
Why do noble gases exist naturally as monatomic elements
They tend to be unreactive due to stable electron arrangements
Define octet rule
When atoms react to form compounds, they tend to combine in a way that they each have eight electrons in their outer shell, giving them same electronic configuration as noble gas
Order of sub-energy levels (subshells)
s, p, d, f
Define isoelectronic species
Atoms or ions with same number of electrons
