Atoms

Question 1

What is the smallest particle in nature?

Answer 1

Atom

Atoms make up all matter.

Question 2

How many natural elements are there approximately?

Answer 2

Almost 100

This includes the most common elements found in living organisms.

Question 3

List the top six most common elements in living organisms.

Answer 3

• Oxygen
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
• Nitrogen
• Calcium
• Phosphorus

These elements are essential for life.

Question 4

What are trace elements?

Answer 4

Elements required for life in small amounts

Examples include iron, which is essential for various biological functions.

Question 5

What are the two regions of an atom?

Answer 5

• Nucleus
• Electron cloud

The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while electrons orbit the nucleus.

Question 6

What types of subatomic particles make up an atom?

Answer 6

• Protons
• Neutrons
• Electrons

Each type has distinct properties and charges.

Question 7

What charge do protons have?

Answer 7

Positive charge

Protons are located in the nucleus.

Question 8

What charge do neutrons have?

Answer 8

Neutral charge

Neutrons also reside in the nucleus.

Question 9

What charge do electrons have?

Answer 9

Negative charge

Electrons are very small and constantly move around the nucleus.

Question 10

What is the atomic number?

Answer 10

Number of protons in the nucleus

The atomic number defines the element.

Question 11

What occurs if the number of protons in an atom changes?

Answer 11

It becomes a different element

The identity of an atom is determined by its proton count.

Question 12

What is an isotope?

Answer 12

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons

Isotopes can have varying physical properties.

Question 13

What dictates the bonding properties of an atom?

Answer 13

Electrons

The arrangement of electrons determines how atoms interact.

Question 14

How many electrons can the first shell of an atom hold?

Answer 14

2 electrons

This is the maximum capacity for the innermost shell.

Question 15

How many electrons can the next two shells hold?

Answer 15

8 electrons each

This is sometimes referred to as the ‘octet rule’.

Question 16

What is a full outer-most shell of electrons called?

Answer 16

Valence shell

Atoms with a full valence shell are generally non-reactive.

Question 17

What does it mean if an atom is ‘reactive’?

Answer 17

It has an incomplete outer shell and tends to form chemical bonds

Reactive atoms seek stability by bonding with other atoms.

Question 18

What is the stable arrangement of two or more atoms called?

Answer 18

Molecule

Molecules result from chemical bonding between atoms.