Finding Protons, Neutrons and Electrons

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

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

Back

Number of neutrons = Atomic mass - 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

Define isotopes.

Back

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

What is the average atomic mass?

Back

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

Front

How many protons does an atom of Iron (Fe) have?

Back

Iron (Fe) has 26 protons.

Front

What is the significance of the number of electrons in an atom?

Back

The number of electrons determines the atom's charge and its chemical behavior.

Front

What is the charge of an atom with 10 protons and 8 electrons?

Back

The charge is +2, because there are more protons than electrons.

Front

How do you determine the most abundant isotope of an element?

Back

The most abundant isotope is usually the one closest to the average atomic mass of the element.

Front

What is the relationship between protons and the identity of an element?

Back

The number of protons defines the element; changing the number of protons changes the element.