Definitions: Modern Periodic Table

Question 1

Mass number

Answer 1

The number of protons and neutrons in the atom of an element

Question 2

Atomic number

Answer 2

The number of protons in the atom of an element

Question 3

Ion

Answer 3

An atom or group of atoms which has either lost or gained electrons and has therefore become either positively or negatively charged

Question 4

Isotopes

Answer 4

Atoms of the same element but which differ in the numbers of neutrons in their nuclei

Question 5

Relative atomic mass

Answer 5

The mass of an atom of that element relative to one twelfth of the mass of the carbon-12 isotope

Question 6

Principle of the mass spectrometer

Answer 6

Positively charged ions are separated on the basis of their relative masses when moving in a magnetic field