Atomic Notation

Front

What is an ion?

Back

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

Front

What does the atomic number represent?

Back

The atomic number represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is a neutron?

Back

A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, with no electrical charge.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Isotopes are variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

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

Back

Number of neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number.

Front

What is the mass number of an atom?

Back

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Front

What is the significance of the number written in the top left corner of isotope notation?

Back

The number in the top left corner of isotope notation represents the mass number of the isotope.

Front

What is the significance of the number written in the bottom left corner of isotope notation?

Back

The number in the bottom left corner of isotope notation represents the atomic number of the element.

Front

What happens to an atom when it gains electrons?

Back

When an atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged and is called an anion.

Front

What happens to an atom when it loses electrons?

Back

When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged and is called a cation.