P4 Flashcards
Atom
The smallest possible piece of an element. Has a radius of 0.1nm
Nucleus
The center of an atom. Contains protons and neutrons
Proton
A positively charged particle found im
the nucleus. Has a relative mass of 1.
Neutral
Has no overall charge
Neutron
A neutral particle found in the nucleus.
Has no charge and a relative mass of 1.
Electron
A negatively charged particle found in energy levels (shells) around the nucleus. Has a relative mass of 0
Element
A substance made up of only one type
of atom e.g. the element oxygen is only
made up of oxygen atoms
Isotope
Atoms with the same number of protons
but different numbers of neutrons.
Stable
The protons and neutrons are securely
stuck together in the nucleus - will not
emit radiation
Unstable
The nucleus may break apart at some
point and emit radiation
Emit
Means to “give out”. Nuclear radiation is
EMITTED from the nucleus
Radioactive Decay
When unstable nuclei break apart,
emitting radiation
- What is the radius of an
atom?
1x10-10m
- Describe the structure
of an atom
Positively charged nucleus
surrounded by negatively
charged electrons orbiting
around the nucleus
- What does the mass
number tell us?
The number of protons and
neutrons.
- What does the atomic
number tell us?
The number of protons
- What is an isotope?
Isotopes have the same
number of protons but different
numbers of neutrons.