1: atomic structure

Question 1

Atomic nucleus [3]

Answer 1

-A collection of subatomic particles in the centre of an atom
-It is positively charged
-composed of protons and neutrons with one or more electrons orbiting it.

Question 2

Atomic/Proton number

Answer 2

The number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom of a particular element.

Question 3

d-block [3]

Answer 3

-The block of elements in the middle of the periodic table.
-Most d-block elements are transition metals.
- Elements in the d block have their outer electron in the d orbital.

Question 4

Electron [2]

Answer 4

-Negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus at various energy levels.
- Relative mass of 1/1836.

Question 5

Electron configuration

Answer 5

The arrangement of electrons into orbitals and energy levels around the nucleus of an atom/ion.

E.g. Ca: 1s22s22p63s23p64s2.

Question 6

Electron subshell [2]

Answer 6

Divisions of electron shells that have slightly different energy levels.
- The subshells have different numbers of orbitals which can each hold up to two electrons.

The first four types of sub-shell are s, p, d and f.

Question 7

First ionisation energy

Answer 7

The energy required to remove 1 mole of electrons from 1 mole of gaseous atoms to form 1 mole of gaseous 1+ ions.

For example, Mg(g)→ Mg+(g) + e-.

Question 8

Free radicals [2]

Answer 8

A species with an unpaired electron.
These are represented in mechanisms by a single dot.

E.g. Cl・.

Question 9

Ground state [2]

Answer 9

The lowest allowed energy of an atom, molecule or ion. Where all the electrons are in their lowest energy configuration.

Question 10

Ion [4]

Answer 10

Formed when an atom/molecule loses or gains electrons. This gives it an overall charge - a positive charge if it has lost at least one electron and a negative charge if it has gained at least one electron.

Question 11

Isotope

Answer 11

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus.

E.g. 35Cl and 37Cl.

Question 12

Mass number/Nucleon number

Answer 12

The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 13

Neutron [3]

Answer 13

-Neutral subatomic particle
- present in the nucleus of the atom.
-Relative mass of 1.

Question 14

Orbital [2]

Answer 14

-A cloud of negative charge that can hold up to two electrons.
-Different orbitals have different shapes.

Question 15

p orbital [4]

Answer 15

-A dumbbell-shaped region in
-which up to two electrons can be found.
-There are three p orbitals at right angles to each other
-, so in total, the p subshell can hold up to 6 electrons.

Question 16

Principle quantum number

Answer 16

A number corresponding to the energy level of an electron.

Question 17

Proton [3]

Answer 17

-Positively charged subatomic particle
- present in the nucleus of the atom.
-Relative mass of 1.

Question 18

s orbital

Answer 18

-Spherical and symmetrical regions around the nucleus,
-which can each hold up to two electrons.

Question 19

Second ionisation energy

Answer 19

The energy required to remove 1 mole of electrons from each ion in 1 mole of gaseous 1+ ions to form 1 mole of gaseous 2+ ions.

Question 20

Shell [3]

Answer 20

-The energy level that an orbital is in around the nucleus of an atom.
-The shell closest to the nucleus is the first shell.
-The outermost shell that is occupied by electrons is the valence shell.

Question 21

Subatomic particles (also give 3 examples)

Answer 21

Subatomic particles are particles that are smaller than an atom, like neutrons, protons and electrons.

Question 22

Third ionisation energy

Answer 22

The energy required to remove 1 mole of electrons from each ion in 1 mole of gaseous 2+ ions to form 1 mole of gaseous 3+ ions.