Atoms, Ions and Isotopes

Front

What is an atom?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Front

What is a mass number?

Back

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

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Front

What is the difference between an anion and a cation?

Back

An anion is a negatively charged ion formed by gaining electrons, while a cation is a positively charged ion formed by losing electrons.

Front

What are isotopes?

Back

Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers 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 mass number.

Front

What is the atomic number?

Back

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Front

What is the significance of the atomic mass?

Back

The atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes, reflecting both the mass and relative abundance of each isotope.

Front

What is the electron configuration of an atom?

Back

The electron configuration describes the distribution of electrons in an atom's orbitals, indicating how they are arranged around the nucleus.

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.