Chemistry Flashcards
Describe the structure of an atom
An atom consists of a nucleus at its center, containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that move in orbits around the nucleus
Do protons and electrons have the same charge?
No, protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge
Define the role of neutrons in an atom
Neutrons provide stability to the nucleus by acting as a binding force that mitigates the repulsive forces between positively charged protons
What does the mass of an atom primarily come from?
The mass of an atom primarily comes from the protons and neutrons in the nucleus, as they are significantly heavier than electrons
Explain the significance of atomic mass units
Atomic mass units (AMU) provide a manageable way to express the mass of atoms, with protons and neutrons weighing approximately 1 atomic unit each, while electrons weigh about 0.549 amu
What is the relationship between atomic number and protons?
The atomic number of an element indicates the number of protons found in that element, which is consistent across all atoms of that element
How can you determine the number of neutron in an atom?
The number of neutrons is determined by subtracting the atomic number by the mass number
Describe the importance of electrical charge in atomic structure
Electrical charge is fundamental to atomic structure as opposites attract; the positive charge of protons attracts the negative charge of electrons, keeping them within the atom
How do electrons behave in relation to the nucleus?
Electrons move rapidly in orbits around the nucleus but do not collide with protons due to their high speed and the attractive force between them
What does the atomic mass of an element indicate?
The atomic mass indicates the total number of protons and neutrons in an element
How does the periodic table represent elements?
Each element in the periodic table is represented by a box that contains its atomic number and atomic mass
Why are electrons typically disregarded in mass calculations of atoms?
Electrons are typically disregarded in mass calculations because their mass is so small compared to that of protons and neutrons
What is the charge of neutrons?
Neutrons carry no charge
What happens to electrons due to their rapid motion?
Electrons move too swiftly to be pulled into direct contact with protons, resulting in them orbiting around the nucleus
How does the atomic number differ between hydrogen and oxygen?
Hydrogen has an atomic number of 1, indicating 1 proton, while oxygen has an atomic number of 8, indicating 8 protons