Chapter 4 Flashcard: Atomic structure and isotopes

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

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

Front

How is the atomic number defined?

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 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

How do you calculate the average atomic mass of an element with two isotopes?

Back

Multiply the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance (as a decimal), then sum the results.

Front

What is the significance of protons in an atom?

Back

Protons determine the atomic number and identity of an element, and they contribute to the positive charge of the nucleus.

Front

What is the symbol for titanium?

Back

The symbol for titanium is Ti.

Front

How many neutrons are in phosphorus-31?

Back

Phosphorus-31 has 16 neutrons (31 - 15 protons = 16 neutrons).

Front

What is the relationship between atomic mass and isotopes?

Back

The atomic mass of an element is influenced by the presence of its isotopes and their respective abundances.

Front

What does AMU stand for?

Back

AMU stands for Atomic Mass Unit, a standard unit of mass used to express atomic and molecular weights.

Front

What is the atomic number of boron?

Back

The atomic number of boron is 5.