Atoms Study Guide #1 2022

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 proton?

Back

A proton is a positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is a neutron?

Back

A neutron is a neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to the atomic mass.

Front

What is an electron?

Back

An electron is a negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is the overall charge of a neutral atom?

Back

A neutral atom has no overall charge, meaning the number of protons equals the number of electrons.

Front

How do you determine the number of neutrons in an atom?

Back

The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from the atomic mass.

Front

What is the significance of the atomic mass?

Back

The atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an atom's isotopes, reflecting the number of protons and neutrons.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

An isotope is a variant of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Front

What is the electron configuration of an atom?

Back

The electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals.

Front

What is the role of electrons in chemical bonding?

Back

Electrons in the outermost shell (valence electrons) are involved in forming chemical bonds between atoms.