Atoms and the Periodic Table

Front

What is an atom?

Back

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Front

What is the atomic number?

Back

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

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

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

Front

What is the mass number?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of neutrons in an atom?

Back

Neutrons contribute to the mass of the atom and help stabilize the nucleus.

Front

What did Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment demonstrate?

Back

Atoms are mostly empty space with a dense positive nucleus.

Front

What is the difference between an element and a compound?

Back

An element is a pure substance made of one type of atom, while a compound is made of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.

Front

What are valence electrons?

Back

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in chemical bonding.

Front

What is the periodic table?

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A tabular arrangement of elements organized by increasing atomic number and grouped by similar chemical properties.

Front

What are groups in the periodic table?

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Vertical columns in the periodic table that contain elements with similar chemical properties.