Fundamental Ideas Flashcards
Where are protons found in an atom?
The nucleus
Where are neutrons found in an atom?
The nucleus
Where are electrons found in an atom?
Orbiting the nucleus in shells.
What is the relative charge of a proton?
+1
What is the relative charge of a neutron?
0
What is the relative charge of an electron?
-1
Why do atoms have no overall charge?
Because they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
What is an element?
A substance containing only one type of atom.
What does the atomic number of an element tell us?
The number of protons in an atom of that element.
What does the mass number of an element tell us?
The combined number of protons and neutrons in one atom of that element.
How can we work out how many neutrons are in an atom?
Mass - atomic number
How many electrons can fit on the first energy shell of an atom?
2
How many electrons can fit on the second energy shell of an atom?
8
How many electrons can fit on the third energy shell of an atom?
8
How many electrons can fit on the fourth energy shell of an atom?
2
What is a compound?
A substance containing two or more elements chemically bonded together.
What is an ion?
A charged atom.
How is an ion formed?
When a metal and a non-metal chemically react.
What charge do metal ions have?
Positive because they lose electrons.
What charge do non-metal ions have?
Negative because they gain electrons.
What is an ionic bond?
A bond formed when oppositely charged ions attract.
What is a covalent bond?
A bond between two non-metals that requires the atoms to share electrons.
What is the law of conservation of mass?
Atoms don’t disappear or appear in reactions - they just get rearranged. As such, the mass of products is the same as the mass of reactants.
