understand chemical elements and compounds

Question 1

what is an atom?

Answer 1

an element with the same number of protons and neutrons

Question 2

what is an isotope?

Answer 2

atoms of elements that have a different number of neutrons, but the same number of protons

Question 3

define a proton?

Answer 3

a sub-atomic particle found in the nucleus with a positive charge and a mass of 1

Question 4

define a neutron?

Answer 4

a sub-atomic particle found in the nucleus with no charge and a mass of 1

Question 5

define electron?

Answer 5

a sub-atomic particle found surrounding the nucleus with a negative charge and no mass

Question 6

what is an electron shell?

Answer 6

these surround the nucleus and hold the electrons. electrons are always held in the lowest possible arrangement.

Question 7

define atomic number?

Answer 7

tells you how many protons and electrons there are in a shell

Question 8

define atomic mass?

Answer 8

is the number of protons and neutrons in an atom

Question 9

what does the nuclear force do?

Answer 9

it overcomes the electrostatic force of repulsion between the protons in the nucleus and keeps the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus
the nuclear force has a short range, so it only acts within the nucleus.