Isotopes and Ions Short Flashcard

Front

What are isotopes?

Back

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

Front

What is the charge of an ion?

Back

The charge of an ion is determined by the loss or gain of electrons. If an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged (cation). If it gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged (anion).

Front

How do you determine the charge of an ion from its valence electrons?

Back

The charge can be determined by the number of valence electrons: if an atom has 4 or fewer valence electrons, it tends to lose them and become positive; if it has more than 4, it tends to gain electrons and become negative.

Front

What is the symbol for a Bromine ion that gains one electron?

Back

Br^-1

Front

What is the significance of the atomic number?

Back

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom and determines the element's identity.

Front

What is the difference between an isotope and an ion?

Back

An isotope is a variant of an element with a different number of neutrons, while an ion is an atom that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a charge.

Front

What is the charge of an oxygen ion that has 6 valence electrons?

Back

-2

Front

What is Chlorine-35?

Back

Chlorine-35 is an isotope of chlorine with 17 protons and 18 neutrons.

Front

What happens to the charge of an atom when it loses electrons?

Back

The charge becomes positive.

Front

What is a cation?

Back

A cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.