The Particulate Nature of Matter Flashcards
Define isotopes
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same no. of protons but different no. of neutrons
Explain the stability of electrons based on the position of its electron shells
• The closer the electron shell is to the nucleus of an atom, the electrons will have a lower energy level and hence be most stable
• The further the electron shell is from the nucleus of an atom, the electrons will have a higher energy level and hence be less stable
Uses of isotopes
• Medical field:
- detection of tumors
- treatment of thyroid disorder
• Safety and Security field:
- detect explosives
- used in smoke detectors
• Archaeology:
- Estimate age of things containing carbon
• Geology:
- Estimate age of rocks
Trend across the period
• Increasing atomic number
• more no. of electrons
• elements change from metallic to non-metallic
Trend down the Group
• Increasing no. of electrons shells
• Elements have larger atomic radius
• Weaker forces of attraction between nucleus of atom and valence electrons
Why do elements in the same group have similar chemical properties?
They have the same no. of valence electrons
Relative charge of Proton
+1
Relative charge of Neutron
0
Relative charge of Electron
-1
Relative mass of Proton
1
Relative mass of Neutron
1
Relative mass of Electron
1/1840
Definition of an ionic compound
An ionic compound is the strong electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions in a compound
Why does sodium chloride have very hard crystals?
Sodium chloride is an ionic compound held by strong ionic bonds between sodium cations and chloride anions in a giant ionic crystal lattice structure. This is due to strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions resulting in very hard crystals.
Why do sodium chloride crystals have a regular shape?
The sodium cations and chloride anions are held together in fixed positions in the giant ionic crystal lattice structure.
Why are ionic compounds non-volatile?
An ionic compound has a giant ionic crystal lattice structure held by strong ionic bonds between oppositely charged ions. Hence an ionic compound cannot be easily evaporated resulting in an ionic compound to remain as a solid at room temp. and pressure without producing any smell.
Why do ionic compounds have high melting/boiling points?
An ionic compound has a giant ionic crystal lattice structure held by strong ionic bonds between oppositely charged ions. Each cation and anion are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions. Hence a large amount of heat energy is required to overcome these strong forces of attraction between oppositely charged ions resulting in the ionic compounds to have a high melting/boiling point.
Why does MgO have a higher melting/boiling point than NaCl?
The cations in MgO have a +2 positive charge and the anions have a -2 negative charge. The ionic bonds in MgO are stronger than the ionic bonds in NaCl due to the stronger electrostatic forces of attraction between the oppositely doubly charged ions in the giant ionic crystal lattice structure of MgO. Therefore a larger amount of heat energy is required to overcome the stronger electrostatic forces of attraction between oppositely doubly charged ions in MgO resulting in MgO having a higher melting/boiling point.
Why are most ionic compounds soluble in water?
There is an attraction between the ions in the ionic compound and the water molecules. Hence the ions separate and go into the solution.
Why are most ionic compounds insoluble in organic solvents?
There is no attraction between the ions of the ionic compound and the molecules of the organic solvent. Hence the ions will not separate and go into the solution.