U2Q2: The Atom

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 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.

Front

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

Back

To find the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass (rounded to the nearest whole number).

Front

What does a +3 charge on an atom indicate?

Back

A +3 charge indicates that the atom has lost 3 electrons.

Front

What is the difference between an ion and a neutral atom?

Back

An ion has a net charge due to the loss or gain of electrons, while a neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.

Front

What happens to an atom when it gains electrons?

Back

When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is called an anion.

Front

What happens to an atom when it loses electrons?

Back

When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is called a cation.

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

How many neutrons are in Carbon-14?

Back

Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons.

Front

What is the charge of an atom with more protons than electrons?

Back

An atom with more protons than electrons is positively charged.