Atoms, Ions, Isotopes

Front

What is an atom?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Front

What are protons?

Back

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

Front

What are neutrons?

Back

Neutrons are neutral subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What are electrons?

Back

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

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Front

What is a cation?

Back

A cation is a positively charged ion, formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Front

What is an anion?

Back

An anion is a negatively charged ion, formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

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 determine the number of protons in an atom?

Back

The number of protons in an atom is equal to its atomic number.

Front

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

Back

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.