Atoms/Ions/Isotopes

Front

What is an atom?

Back

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

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 an isotope?

Back

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

Front

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

Back

To find the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number (total number of protons and neutrons).

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 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 charge of a proton?

Back

A proton has a positive charge.

Front

What is the charge of an electron?

Back

An electron has a negative charge.

Front

What happens to the charge of an atom when it becomes an ion?

Back

When an atom becomes an ion, it gains a positive charge if it loses electrons (cation) or a negative charge if it gains electrons (anion).

Front

What is the symbol for Fluorine-18?

Back

The symbol for Fluorine-18 is 18F.