L2 - Atomic Structure & Isotopes Flashcards
What 3 main subatomic particles are atoms composed of?
- Electrons (negative)
- Protons (positive)
- Neutrons (uncharged)
The diameter of an atom is approximately _______ times larger than that of its nucleus.
10,000
Describe the charge of an atom.
Neutral
How does an atom become a charged ion?
Loss / gain of electrons
What does the centre of the atom (nucleus) have?
- All most all of the atom’s mass
- Composed of atom’s protons and neutrons
What are protons and neutrons called?
Nucleons
Define Atomic Number (Z).
Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Define Mass Number (A).
Sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus (Nucleons)
Where are electrons found in an atom?
They surround the nucleus
What do electrons occupy?
Specific regions in space (orbitals)
What are orbitals grouped into?
Shells
How are shells identified?
By the principal quantum number (n = 1, 2, 3…)
What does each shell contain?
A unique set of orbitals
What are elements with completely filled shells referred to as?
Noble gases
What determines the properties of the atom? (e.g. reactivity, ability to form bonds)
Electrons
Define isotope.
Atom with the same atomic number but different mass number.
Atom with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.
Describe the properties of isotopes.
- Different atoms of the same elements
- Same number of protons and electrons
- Different mass, due to the number of neutrons
- Same outer electrons and chemical identity = chemical properties are identical
- Physical properties can differ (e.g. density)
Describe the Kinetic Isotope Effect.
Heavier isotopes react slightly more slowly.
Name 3 isotopes of hydrogen.
- Protium
- Deuterium
- Tritium
What is the most abundant hydrogen isotope?
Protium
Describe the uses of deuterium.
- Used in isotopic labelling experiments
- Useful in NMR spectroscopy
Describe the uses of tritium.
- Radioactive
- Used in labelling experiments
Name 3 isotopes of carbon.
- Carbon-12
- Carbon-13
- Carbon-14
Which 2 carbon isotopes are stable?
- Carbon-12
- Carbon-13