Atomic Number, Atomic Mass

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 atomic mass?

Back

Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu).

Front

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

Back

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number.

Front

What is the charge of a neutral atom?

Back

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

Front

What is the relationship between protons and electrons in a neutral atom?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of the mass number?

Back

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

Front

How many protons does a carbon atom have?

Back

A carbon atom has 6 protons.

Front

What is the average atomic mass of an element?

Back

The average atomic mass is the weighted average of the masses of an element's isotopes, reflecting their natural abundance.

Front

If an atom has 8 protons and 7 neutrons, what is its mass number?

Back

The mass number is 15 (8 protons + 7 neutrons).

Front

What happens to the charge of an atom if it gains an electron?

Back

If an atom gains an electron, it becomes negatively charged (anion).