Atoms and Molecules

Front

What is an atom?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Front

What is a molecule?

Back

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Front

What distinguishes an atom from a molecule?

Back

An atom is a single unit of an element, while a molecule consists of two or more atoms bonded together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Front

What are the three main subatomic particles in an atom?

Back

The three main subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Front

What is the charge of a proton?

Back

A proton has a positive charge.

Front

What is the charge of a neutron?

Back

A neutron has no charge (it is neutral).

Front

What is the charge of an electron?

Back

An electron has a negative charge.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-3

Front

What is the atomic number of an element?

Back

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Front

What is a chemical bond?

Back

A chemical bond is the force that holds atoms together in a molecule, which can be ionic or covalent.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Front

What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?

Back

Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.