atomic structure and bonding Flashcards
define what an atom is
the smallest particles of matter that cannot be broken down any further
what particles are in the nucleus
protons and neutrons
what is the mass of an atom measured in
atomic mass units
which of the three is the lightest particle
electrons
mass of protons
1 unit
mass of electrons
almost nothing
mass of neutrons
1 unit
where is the mass number on the symbol of an element
on the top
where is the proton number on the symbol of an element
on the bottom
how can you identify an atom using protons
by the number of protons
another name for proton number
atomic number
why do atoms have no charge
because they contain the same number of proton and electrons
define mass number
to total number of protons and neutrons in an atom
another name for mass number
nucleon number
do ions have electronic charge
yes
why are ions charged
ions gain and lose electrons. when they gain an electron they become negatively charged. when they lose an electron they become positively charged. (the number of protons does not change)
why do atoms form ions
because they gain or lose electrons to obtain a stable outermost shell
define ‘isotopes’
atoms of the same element that have a different neutron number but same proton number (have different nucleon number)
what are the 2 types of isotopes
stable and unstable isotopes
why are some isotopes unstable
because the the extra neutrons are radioactive
what are unstable isotopes called
radioisotopes
why are radioisotopes radioactive
because the nucleus is unstable. the atoms naturally will break down or decay giving out radiation in the form of particles and rays, plus a large amount of energy.
define relative atomic mass
the average mass of a large number of atoms of an element
what is the symbol for relative atomic mass
Ar
what is the standard used for the Ar scale
carbon-12
what is the Ar formula
avg. mass of isotopes of an element/ 1/12 x mass of 1 atom of carbon 12
which electron shell has the highest energy level
the outermost electron shell
what is another name of the outer- shell electrons
valency electrons
why don’t unreactive atoms form bonds
because they have a stable arrangement of electrons in their outermost shell which does not allow them to bond with other atoms