IScience - Chapter 9 Vocab

Question 1

Atom

Answer 1

The smallest piece of an element that still represents that element

Question 2

Electron

Answer 2

A particle with one negative charge

Question 3

Nucleus

Answer 3

Small area in the center of the atom in which most of the atom’s mass and positive charge is concentrated

Question 4

Proton

Answer 4

An atomic particle that has one positive charge

Question 5

Neutron

Answer 5

A neutral particle that exists in the nucleus of an atom

Question 6

Electron Cloud

Answer 6

An area around an atomic nucleus where an electron is most likely to be located

Question 7

Atomic Number

Answer 7

The number of protons ion an atom of an element

Question 8

Isotope

Answer 8

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons

Question 9

Mass Number

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Average Atomic Mass

Answer 10

The average mass of the element’s isotopes, weighted according to the abundance of each isotope

Question 11

Radioactive

Answer 11

Elements that spontaneously emit radiation

Question 12

Nuclear Decay

Answer 12

A process that occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus changes into another more stable nucleus by emitting radiation

Question 13

Ion

Answer 13

An atom that is no longer neutral, because it has gained or lost electrons