GSCE - Atomic Structure SC3a

Question 1

Describe how Dalton’s idea about atoms have changed

Answer 1

Dalton’s idea of an atom with a solid sphere, today we use nuclear model and have realised that positive charge is found in the nucleus, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus and an atom is mostly empty space

Question 2

Describe how the subatomic particles are arranged in an atom

Answer 2

The protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus, the electrons are found in the outer shell orbiting the nucleus

Question 3

Explain how atoms of different elements are different

Answer 3

An atom makes up a certain type of element based off the number of protons. (Each element has a specific number of protons)

Question 4

Recall the relative charges and relative mass of the three subatomic particles

Answer 4

Proton - +1 (charge ) and + 1 (mass)
Neutrons - 0 (neutral) and 0 (mass)
Electrons -1 (negative) and 1/2000 (mass)

Question 5

Explain why atoms have no overall charge

Answer 5

All atoms are neutral because they have the same amount of protons and electrons

Question 6

Describe the size of an atom compared to the size of its nucleus

Answer 6

The overall diameter of an atom can be 100,000 times the diameter of its nucleus
If you place a pea in the middle of wembly stadium, thats is equivalent to the nucleus and the elctrons would be whizzing around by the stands, between teh nucleus and the electrons, its mostly empty space.