Flashcard 1

Front

What is ionization energy?

Back

Ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove an electron from an atom in its gaseous state.

Front

How does atomic number affect ionization energy?

Back

Generally, ionization energy increases as atomic number increases due to the greater positive charge of the nucleus, which attracts electrons more strongly.

Front

What is the significance of core electrons?

Back

Core electrons are the inner electrons that shield the valence electrons from the full effect of the nucleus's positive charge, affecting ionization energy.

Front

What are isotopes?

Back

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different atomic masses.

Front

What is a mass spectrometer used for?

Back

A mass spectrometer is an analytical tool used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, allowing for the identification and quantification of different isotopes.

Front

What does the degree of deflection in a mass spectrometer indicate?

Back

The degree of deflection indicates the mass of the ions; lighter ions deflect more than heavier ions when subjected to the same electric or magnetic field.

Front

What is the average atomic mass?

Back

The average atomic mass is the weighted average of the masses of an element's isotopes, taking into account their relative abundances.

Front

What is the difference between two isotopes of the same element?

Back

The difference between two isotopes of the same element lies in their mass number, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Front

What is effective nuclear charge?

Back

Effective nuclear charge is the net positive charge experienced by valence electrons, accounting for the shielding effect of core electrons.

Front

What is the relationship between electron configuration and ionization energy?

Back

Elements with a stable electron configuration (like noble gases) have higher ionization energies because their outer electrons are more tightly held.