Ch4: ATOMIC STRUCTURE AND PERIODIC TRENDS Flashcards
(97 cards)
What is the smallest unit of any element?
One atom of the element
What are the two components of the central nucleus of an atom? what are these known collectively as?
The protons and neutrons
Nucleons
The electrons are held in the atom by what?
The electrostatic attraction of the positively charged nucleus
What does the Z number represent?
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom:
The atomic number Z
What does the A number represent?
The atom’s mass number, A
The number of protons plus the number of neutrons in the nucleus
A= Z (protons) + N (Neutrons)
What does the N number represent?
number of Neutrons
What are the A, Z and N values of Beryllium- 9?
A: 9
N: 5
Z: 4
What is an isotope?
Give example
When two atoms of the same element differ in their numbers of neutrons
ex. Beryllium- 7 and beryllium- 9
What is the atomic weight of an element?
A weighted average of the masses of an elements naturally occurring isotopes
because elements exist naturally as a collection of their isotopes
This is the number represented on the periodic table below the sign
What is an ion ?
When a neutral atom gains or loses electrons, it becomes charged and the resulting atom is called an ion
What is a negatively charged ion?
An atom that has gained an electron (-1 unit)
Called an anion
What is a positively charged ion?
An atom that has lost an election (+1 unit)
Called a cation
What is the name of the force holding together protons and neutrons in a nucleus?
How does this force compare to the electrical force between charged particles?
Strong nuclear force
this force is stronger than the electrical force between charged particles: it has to overcome the repulsion that protons and protons have electrostatically (+) to keep the nucleus together
This is actually the most powerful force of the four fundamental forces of nature
What are radioactive nuclei?
Unstable nuclei
They undergo Radioactive decay: a transformation to make them more stable altering the number and ratio of protons and neutrons or just lowering their energy
What is radioactive decay?
What are the three types we discuss?
a transformation to make unstable/ radioactive nuclei more stable altering the number and ratio of protons and neutrons or just lowering their energy
Alpha, Beta, and Gamma
What are unstable nuclei called?
Radioactive
The nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay is known as the ____. The resulting more stable nucleus is known as the _____.
a) Parent
b) daughter
What does it mean if a nucleus emits an alpha particle?
An alpha particle (4/2 α) consists of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
This is alpha decay: it reduces the parent atomic number by 2, and the mass number by 4
What are the 3 types of Beta decay?
Beta- (most common)
Beta+
electron capture
How do alpha particles act in environment?
they are emitted with high energy from parent nucleus but this energy quickly is lost as the particle travels through matter or air
THUS particles dont travel too far, and stopped by outer layers of human skin or piece of paper
What is the name of the force that beta decay acts by?
Weak nuclear force
How do beta particles act in the environment? Are they more or less dangerous than alpha?
more dangerous than alpha because they are much smaller —> more energy and greater penetrating ability
Can be stopped by aluminum foil or a centimeter of plastic or glass
Which nuclei will undergo Beta- decay?
Those with too many neutrons
Which nuclei will undergo Beta+ decay?
Those with too few neutrons