Quiz on Atoms and Subatomic Particles

Refer to Figure 3. The image shows a neutral atom. What element is the atom?

• Silicon

• Beryllium

• Fluorine

• Boron

Answer explanation

The neutral atom in the image has 5 protons, which corresponds to the atomic number of Boron. The other options have different atomic numbers: Silicon (14), Beryllium (4), and Fluorine (9). Thus, the correct element is Boron.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Refer to Figure 3. What subatomic particle is the arrow pointing to?

• Proton

• Neutron

• Electron

• Positron

Answer explanation

The arrow is pointing to a proton, which is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. Protons are essential for determining the atomic number and identity of an element.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Which of the following elements have the same number of valence electrons?

• Cu and P

• Mg and Ca

• Fe and F

• K and Al

Answer explanation

Mg and Ca both belong to Group 2 of the periodic table, meaning they each have 2 valence electrons. The other pairs have different numbers of valence electrons, making Mg and Ca the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Determine the energy of a photon that releases blue light.

• 4.23x10^-19 J

• 3.77x10^-19 J

• 6.00x10^-34 J

• 8.16x10^-33 J

Answer explanation

The energy of a photon is calculated using E = hf, where h is Planck's constant (6.626x10^-34 J·s) and f is the frequency. Blue light has a frequency around 6.9x10^14 Hz, leading to an energy of approximately 3.77x10^-19 J.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Select the CORRECT statement about subatomic particles.

• Electrons are the heaviest subatomic particle.

• Protons are the lightest subatomic particle.

• Neutrons are the lightest subatomic particle.

• The mass of a neutron nearly equals the mass of a proton.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that the mass of a neutron nearly equals the mass of a proton. Protons and neutrons are both found in the nucleus and have similar masses, while electrons are much lighter.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Help a fellow student learn, if she is using the noble gas (shortcut method) to write out electron configurations and begins with the noble gas [Ne], what energy level should be written next?

• 4s

• 3s

• 5s

• 6s

Answer explanation

Starting with the noble gas [Ne], which represents the electron configuration up to energy level 2, the next energy level to fill is 4s, as it is lower in energy than 3d and follows the Aufbau principle.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

Which of the following is an incorrect designation for an atomic orbital?

• 4f

• 1s

• 3d

• 1p

Answer explanation

The designation '1p' is incorrect because there are no p orbitals in the first energy level; p orbitals start from the second level (2p). The other options, 4f, 1s, and 3d, are valid orbital designations.

Which of the following describes a situation where an atom gains energy and the electron jumps to a higher energy orbital?

• Ground State

• Normal State

• Excited State

• Secondary State

Answer explanation

An atom is in an Excited State when it gains energy, causing an electron to jump to a higher energy orbital. This is distinct from the Ground State, where electrons are in their lowest energy levels.

If the wavelength of light is 4.95 x 10^-9 m, calculate the frequency, in Hz, of the light. The speed of light = 3.0 x 10^8 m/s. c=fλ.

• 1.49 Hz

• 1.65 x 10^-17 Hz

• 6.06 x 10^16 Hz

• 3.00 x 10^8 Hz

Answer explanation

To find the frequency (f), use the formula c = fλ. Rearranging gives f = c/λ. Substituting c = 3.0 x 10^8 m/s and λ = 4.95 x 10^-9 m results in f = 6.06 x 10^16 Hz, which is the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Which of the following subatomic particles are in the nucleus?

• protons and neutrons

• protons and electrons

• neutrons and electrons

• protons, neutrons, and electrons

Answer explanation

The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons. Electrons are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus, not within it. Therefore, the correct answer is protons and neutrons.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8