Isotopes & Ions

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, resulting in a different atomic mass.

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

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 happens to an atom when it loses valence electrons?

Back

When an atom loses valence electrons, it becomes a positive ion (cation).

Front

What is the difference between a cation and an anion?

Back

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

Front

What are the isotopes of carbon?

Back

The isotopes of carbon include Carbon-12, Carbon-13, and Carbon-14.

Front

How do you determine the atomic mass of an element?

Back

The atomic mass of an element is determined by the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Front

What is a normal atom?

Back

A normal atom, or neutral atom, has an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in no overall charge.

Front

What is the significance of valence electrons?

Back

Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are involved in chemical bonding and reactions.

Front

What is the charge of an ion that has lost two electrons?

Back

An ion that has lost two electrons has a charge of +2.