Atomic structure and isotopes

Question 1

Atoms are composed of?

Answer 1

Proton, neutron, electron.

Question 2

Protons and neutrons collectively are referred to as…

Answer 2

Nucleons; nucleus

Question 3

Relative masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

Answer 3

1, 1, 1/2000

Question 4

Define isotope:

Answer 4

Atoms with the same atomic number (# of protons) but different atomic masses (# of neutrons)

Question 5

As mass number increases:

Answer 5

Boiling point, density, and melting point increase

Question 6

Briefly explain the mass spectrometer:

Answer 6

Instrument utilizing the mass-to-charge ratio of a sample of ions to determine percent abundance of isotopes.

Injection, vaporization, ionization, acceleration, deflection, detection

Question 7

Define radioisotope:

Answer 7

An unstable nuclear arrangement that results in spontaneous decay, emitting nuclear radiation and producing two or more smaller nuclei

Question 8

Two properties of the alpha particle:

Answer 8

1. Same structure as the nucleus of a He-4 atom, with a 2+ charge
2. Large
3. Can be blocked by paper

Question 9

Two properties of the beta particle:

Answer 9

1. Negatively charged electron
2. Passes through paper, but is blocked by aluminum foil

Question 10

Two properties of the gamma ray:

Answer 10

1. High-energy electromagnetic radiation
2. Moves at the speed of light
3. Penetrates most substances but is blocked by thick sheets of lead

Question 11

Two applications of radiation?

Answer 11

1. Carbon dating
2. Medical diagnosis
3. Food sterilization
4. Energy

Question 12

One atomic mass unit (amu) is equal to:

Answer 12

1/12 of a carbon-12 atom