Structure of Matter

Which of the following is a type of matter?

• air in a balloon

• electricity running through a wire

• both air in a balloon and electricity running through a wire

• neither air in a balloon nor electricity running through a wire

Which of the following particles is described as the basic building block of matter?

• atoms

• compounds

• mixtures

• pure substances

• protons, neutrons, and electrons

Which of the following subatomic particles are located in the nucleus of the atom?

• protons and neutrons

• protons only

• neutrons only

• electrons only

• protons, neutrons, and electrons

Which of the following BEST describes the location of electrons within the atom?

• in an electron cloud around the nucleus

• in orbits around the nucleus

• outside of the nucleus

• in the nucleus

Use the periodic table to answer the following question. Which element has 50 protons?

• tin (Sn)

• vanadium (V)

• cesium (Cs)

• carbon (C)

The atomic number of iron (Fe) is 26. What does this tell you about an atom of iron?

• An atom of iron has 26 protons.

• The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom of iron is 26.

• An atom of iron has 26 neutrons.

• The sum of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom of iron is 26.

Which of the following statements about the masses of subatomic particles is true?

• Electrons have very little mass compared to protons and neutrons.

• Protons, neutrons, and electrons all have about the same mass.

• Electrons have no mass.

• Neutrons have very little mass compared to electrons and protons.

• Protons and neutrons have very little mass compared to electrons.

Which of the following subatomic particles is electrically neutral?

• neutrons

• protons

• electrons

Which of the following subatomic particles is negatively charged?

• electrons

• protons

• neutrons

What is the significance of valence electrons?

• Valence electrons are involved in forming chemical bonds.

• Valence electrons contribute significantly to the mass of an atom.

• Valence electrons cause an atom to move very rapidly when it is in its gaseous state.

• Valence electrons have a different charge than those electrons that are closer to the nucleus.