Isotopes and Ions

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

An isotope is a variant of a chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, resulting in a different mass number.

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 cation?

Back

A cation is a positively charged ion that has lost one or more electrons.

Front

What is an anion?

Back

An anion is a negatively charged ion that has gained one or more electrons.

Front

How do you determine the number of electrons in an ion?

Back

To determine the number of electrons in an ion, subtract the charge from the atomic number for cations and add the charge for anions.

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 happens to an atom when it gains or loses electrons?

Back

When an atom gains electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (anion); when it loses electrons, it becomes a positively charged ion (cation).

Front

What is the octet rule?

Back

The octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of eight electrons.

Front

What is the difference between isotopes of the same element?

Back

Isotopes of the same element differ in the number of neutrons, which affects their mass but not their chemical properties.

Front

What is the significance of neutrons in an atom?

Back

Neutrons contribute to the mass of an atom and help stabilize the nucleus; they do not affect the chemical properties.