Atomic Structure

Front

What is the mass number of an atom?

Back

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What does the atomic number represent?

Back

The atomic number equals the number of protons in an atom of an element.

Front

How do you determine the number of electrons in a neutral atom?

Back

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, which is the atomic number.

Front

What is the nucleus of an atom?

Back

The nucleus is the dense, positively charged center of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Front

What are protons?

Back

Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What are neutrons?

Back

Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to the mass number.

Front

What is an electron?

Back

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

How do you calculate the mass number of an element?

Back

The mass number is calculated by adding the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Front

What is the difference between atomic weight and mass number?

Back

Atomic weight is the average mass of an element's isotopes, while mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons.