MCAT-Gen Chem Flashcards
(178 cards)
What is the atomic number of an atom?
It is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
What is the mass number of an atom?
It is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
What is the definition of an isotope?
When two atoms of the same element have different number of neutrons.
Describe Beta - decay
Occurs when an unstable nucleus has too many neutrons
Converts a neutron to a proton and an electron
Mass number stays the same
The atomic number increases by one.
Describe beta+ decay
When an unstable nucleus contains too few neutrons
Converts a proton into a neutron and a positron
Atomic number is reduced by 1
Mass number is not changed
Describe electron capture
When an unstable nuclei has too few neutrons
converts a proton and an electron into a neutron
Mass number stays the same
Atomic number decreases by one
What is unique about beta - decay and alpha decay?
Since it changes the atomic number of the element, the identity of the daughter nucleus changes.
Describe alpha decay
Alpha decay is equivalent to losing a He nucleus, reduce mass of radioactive element by 4 and reduce the atomic number by 2.
What is c, the speed of light?
3*10^8 m/s
What is Avogadro’s number
6.023*10^23
What is the equation for exponential decay?
N=No(1/2)^T/t-half life
N=No*e^-kt
Where k=ln2/t-half life
Note N equals the number of radioactive nuclei remaining after T time. No is the initial amount of radioactive nuclei.
What is the definition of mass defect?
Delta m= total mass of separate nucleons- mass of nucleus
What is the equation for nuclear binding energy?
Eb = mass defect* 931.5Mev
Where mass defect is in amu units and binding energy is in units of electron volts
What is the value of plancks constant?
h= 6.64*10^-34 J•s
What is the equation for frequency?
f=c/wavelength
What is the equation for the energy of a photon?
E=h*f
=c/wavelength
What is the definition of a Bohr atom?
An atom with only one electron
What is the Aufbau principle?
Electrons occupy the lowest energy orbitals
What does Hunds rule state?
Electrons in the same sub shell occupy available orbits singly before pairing up
What does the Pauli exclusion principle state?
There can be no more than two electrons in any given orbital
List out all of the electron configurations to 3d
1s 2s 2p 3s 3p 4s 3d
What is the definition of a diamagnetic atom?
It has all of its electrons spin paired in its orbital configurations.
Must have an even number of electrons ( even atomic number)
Is repelled by an external magnetic field
What is the definition of a paramagnetic atom?
An atom where not all of the electrons are spin paired in the orbital configuration.
Can have an even or odd number of electrons.
Is attracted to an external magnetic field.
What are the d block atoms that will have either half filled or filled d orbitals?
Cr, Cu, Mo, Ag and Au
They promote electrons from their 4s orbitals to attain these more stable configurations.