Atomic structure Flashcards
What particles make up an atom?
An atom consists of proton + neutrons in the nucleus with electrons orbiting the nucleus
What are SI units and why are they important?
SI units are a comprehensive set of measurement units used globally to ensure consistency in measuring physical properties.
What is the law of conservation of energy?
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another.
What are the three main mechanisms of heat transfer?
- Conduction (dominant in solids),
- Convection (dominant in fluids), and
- Radiation (dominant in a vacuum).
How is energy transferred by radiation?
Radiation transfers energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation, even across a vacuum.
What defines an isotope of an element?
Isotopes have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
Ionisation in an atom
Ionisation happens when an electron leaves the atom, making it positively charged.
Excitation in an atom
Excitation occurs when an electron moves to a higher energy shell but remains in the atom
What is the main difference between vector and scalar quantities?
Vector quantities have both magnitude and direction, while scalar quantities only have magnitude.
