Unit 1 - Atomic Structure

Question 1

Everything in the world is made up of atoms. Name the three smaller particles which make up atoms.

Answer 1

Protons, neutrons and electrons

Question 2

Describe the charge, mass and position within the atom of protons.

Answer 2

Protons are positively charged, have a mass of 1 amu and are found in the nucleus.

Question 3

Describe the charge, mass and position with the atom of neutrons.

Answer 3

Neutrons have no charge (neutral), have a mass of 1 amu and found in the nucleus

Question 4

Describe the charge, mass and position within the atom of electrons.

Answer 4

Electrons are negatively charged, have a mass of nearly 0 and found in circles called energy levels around the nucleus.

Question 5

How many electrons can fit in the

1st energy shell
2nd energy shell
3rd energy shell

Answer 5

2
8
8

Question 6

What is the electron arrangement of

Carbon (6 electrons)
Lithium (3 electrons)
Calcium (20 electrons)

Answer 6

2,4
2,1
2,8,8,2

Question 7

Explain how an atom can contain charged particles yet be uncharged overall.

Answer 7

They contain the same number of positive protons as negative electrons or the charges cancel.

Question 8

What is an isotope?

Answer 8

Same atomic number/protons and different mass number/mass/number of neutrons

or

Atoms of the same element with different mass number/mass/number of neutrons

Question 9

What is meant by relative atomic mass?

Answer 9

Relative atomic mass is the average mass of the isotopes present, taking into account their relative proportions.

Question 10

What is an ion and how are they formed?

Answer 10

An ion is a charged atom formed by the gain or loss of electrons

Question 11

What name is given to the way of representing an atom showing atomic number and mass number?

Answer 11

Nuclide Notation

Question 12

Which number is which in nuclide notation?

Answer 12

The top number is the mass number
The bottom number is the atomic number