C4: The Periodic Table

Question 1

What is the structure of an atom?

Answer 1

All substances are made up of very small particles called atoms with a very low mass. Atoms have a central nucleus. The nucleus is positively charged because it is made up of protons which are positively charged and neutrons which are neutral.

The space around the nucleus is occupied by negatively charged electrons arranged in shells. Overall, an atom has no charge.

Question 2

What are the Relative Charge’s and Relative mass’ of Proton’s, Neutron’s and Electron’s?

Answer 2

Proton has relative charge of 1 and relative mass of 1.
Neutron has relative charge of 0 and relative mass of 1
Electron has relative charge of -1 and relative mass of 0.0005 (Scientists just tend to say 0 because it is very light.)

Question 3

What is an element?

Answer 3

It is a substance that cannot be broken down chemically and contains only 1 type of atom.

Question 4

What is an Atomic Number?

Answer 4

The numbers next to the elements in the Periodic Table give information about the element.

The elements in the Periodic Table are arranged in order of ascending atomic number, starting with Hydrogen (Atomic Number 1) at the top.

The atomic number is the number of protons in the atom.

Question 5

What are Isotopes?

Answer 5

Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass number. The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.