Key Area 1.2 - Atomic Theory

Question 1

Describe a proton

Answer 1

Charge= Positively Charged
Location= Contained in the nucleus of the atom
Size= 1a.m.u

Question 2

Describe a Neutron

Answer 2

Charge= No charge
Location= Contained in the nucleus of the atom
Size= 1.a.m.u

Question 3

Name the charge of large components of the atom

Answer 3

The nucleus is positive due to the number of protons but the overall charge of an atom is neutral as the number of electrons balances the number of protons

Question 4

How are elements arranged in the periodic table

Answer 4

Elements are arranged in the periodic table in order of increasing atomic number

Question 5

What is the atomic number

Answer 5

The atomic number of an element tells you how many protons an element has

Question 6

How are electrons arranged in an atom

Answer 6

Electrons are arranged in energy levels which can only hold a certain number of electrons
One= A maximum of 2 electrons
The others= A maximum of 8 electrons

Question 7

What do elements in the same group have in common

Answer 7

They react in very similar ways because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell. For example alkaline metals have only 1 electron in the outer shell making them very reactive.

Question 8

Name the groups in the periodic table

Answer 8

Alkali metals
Transitional metals
Halogens
Noble gases

Question 9

What is the mass number

Answer 9

The mass number of an element is equal to the number of protons plus the number of neutrons

Question 10

Are the masses of an atom of an element always the same

Answer 10

No, this type of atom is called an Isotope

Question 11

What is an isotope

Answer 11

Isotopes are atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers due to the variation of neutrons in the nucleus, for example Carbon, mass 12 and Carbon, mass 15

Question 12

What is the relative atomic mass

Answer 12

The relative atomic mass is the average mass of all isotopes from a particular element
It can be calculated by:
RAM = (% abundance of isotope 1 x mass) + (% abundance of isotope 2)
/100

Question 13

What is the name for an element arrangement which is arranged with the mass number on top

Answer 13

Nuclide Notation

Question 14

What is an ion

Answer 14

An ion is a charged particle and they are formed when an atom gains or looses an electron

Question 15

Why are the noble gases special

Answer 15

The noble gases have a stable electron arrangement meaning they have a full outer shell and are therefor unreactive. In order for other atoms to achieve a full outer shell they must gain or loose electrons

Question 16

Describe an electron

Answer 16

Charge= Negatively Charged
Location= Spin around the positive centre of the atom in circles called energy levels
Size= Their mass is close to 0