Understanding Atoms, Isotopes, and Ions

What is the primary focus when beginning to study chemistry?

• Learning about chemical reactions

• Memorizing chemical equations

• Understanding the foundational role of atoms

• Studying the history of chemistry

Which subatomic particle is positively charged and found in the nucleus?

• Photon

• Proton

• Neutron

• Electron

What is the defining trait of a specific atom?

• Number of electrons

• Number of neutrons

• Atomic mass

• Number of protons

What does the atomic number of an element represent?

• The number of protons

• The number of electrons

• The atomic mass

• The number of neutrons

Which element has an atomic number of 1?

• Helium

• Lithium

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

Why is the atomic weight on the periodic table not the weight of the most common isotope?

• It is an average based on natural abundance

• It is the weight of the lightest isotope

• It represents the heaviest isotope

• It is a random value

What is the most common isotope of oxygen?

• Oxygen-16

• Oxygen-17

• Oxygen-18

• Oxygen-19

What is an ion with more electrons than protons called?

• Neutron

• Isotope

• Anion

• Cation

What happens to an atom when it loses an electron?

• It becomes neutral

• It becomes a cation

• It becomes an isotope

• It becomes an anion

Which element is known for forming cations by losing two electrons?

• Fluorine

• Beryllium

• Carbon

• Oxygen