Atomic Structure Flashcards
What is the structure of an Atom
Atoms are mostly empty space surrounding a very small, dense nucleus that contains
protons and neutrons; electrons are found in shells in the empty space around the nucleus
What is the overall charge of the nucleus
+
Where are negatively charged electrons found
Orbitals in the empty space surrounding the nucleus
What are protons, electrons and neutrons
Subatomic Particles
How are subatomic particles’ charges and masses calculated
They are compared to each other so are
1. Relative Atomic Mass
2. Relative Atomic Charge
What are relative charges of subatomic particles
Proton = +1
Neutron = 0
Electron = -1
What are relative masses of subatomic particles
Proton = 1
Neutron = 1
Electron = 1/1836
What is the charge of a proton and electron
Proton = +1.602 x 10^-19
Electron = +1.602 x 10^-19
What is the mass/nucleon number
Number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and the mass of the atom
What is the proton/atomic number
Number of protons or electrons in the atom
What is the distribution of mass in an atom
All the mass is concentrated in the nucleus
What is the distribution of charge in an atom
The nucleus is positively charged due to protons
Electrons orbit the nucleus and create a ‘cloud’ of negative charge
What holds an atom together
The electrostatic attraction between positive nucleus and negative charge of orbiting electrons
How do subatomic particles behave at the same velocity in a electric field
When a beam of electrons is fired past the electrically charged plates, the electrons are deflected very easily away from the negative plate towards the positive plate. This proves that the electrons are negatively charged; like charges repel each other. It also shows that electrons have a very small mass, as they are easily deflected
A beam of protons is deflected away from the positive plate and towards the negative plate. This proves that the proton is positively charged. As protons are deflected less than electrons, this also shows that protons are heavier than electrons
A beam of neutrons is not deflected at all. Which proves that the particle is neutral in character; it is not attracted to, or repelled by, the negative or positive plate
What is an atom and ion
An atom is neutral and has no overall charge
An ion is formed when atoms gain or lose electrons
What is the atomic radius
The measure of the size of an atom.
It is half of the distance between nuclei of 2 covalently bonded atoms of the same type.
What are the variations of atomic radii
Decrease down each period
Increase down each group
Why do atomic radii decrease down a period
Electron Shell Theory. Atomic radii decrease as you move across a Period as the atomic number increases (increased positive nuclear charge) but at the same time extra electrons are added to the same principal quantum shell
The larger the nuclear charge, the greater the pull of the nuclei on the electrons which results in smaller atoms
Why do atomic radii increase down a group
Atomic radii increase moving down a Group as there is an increased number of shells going down the Group
The electrons in the inner shells repel the electrons in the outermost shells, shielding them from the positive nuclear charge
This weakens the pull of the nuclei on the electrons resulting in larger atoms
What is the ionic radius
Is the measure of the size of an ion - distance from the nucleus of the ion to the valence shell
What are the variations of ionic radii
Increase with increasing negative charge
Decrease with increasing positive charge
Why do ionic radii increase with increasing negative charge
Ions with negative charges are formed by atoms accepting extra electrons while the nuclear charge remains the same
The outermost electrons are further away from the positively charged nucleus and are therefore held only weakly to the nucleus which increases the ionic radius
The greater the negative charge, the larger the ionic radius
Why do ionic radii decrease with increasing positive charge
Positively charged ions are formed by atoms losing electrons
The nuclear charge remains the same but there are now fewer electrons which undergo a greater electrostatic force of attraction to the nucleus which decreases the ionic radius
The greater the positive charger, the smaller the ionic radius
What is an isotope
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with same number of protons/proton number but different number of neutrons/nucleon number