Atoms/Ions/Isotopes

Front

What is an atom?

Back

The smallest unit of an element, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Front

What is an ion?

Back

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

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

How many protons does a magnesium atom have?

Back

12 protons.

Front

What is the charge of a positive ion?

Back

A positive ion has more protons than electrons.

Front

What happens to an atom when it loses an electron?

Back

It becomes a positively charged ion.

Front

What happens to an atom when it gains an electron?

Back

It becomes a negatively charged ion.

Front

What is the atomic number?

Back

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element.

Front

What is the mass number?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

Subtract the atomic number from the mass number.