Structure Of An Atom Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the radius of an atom?
1 × 10^-10 metres
Atoms are extremely small, with a radius measured in nanometers.
What is the center of an atom called?
Nucleus
The nucleus contains most of the atom’s mass.
What is the size of the nucleus compared to the atom?
One ten-thousandth (1/10,000) of the radius of the atom
This indicates that most of the atom is empty space.
What are the two sub-atomic particles found in the nucleus?
- Neutron
- Proton
Neutrons are neutral, while protons have a positive charge.
What particle orbits around the nucleus of an atom?
Electron
Electrons are negatively charged particles.
What is the charge of a neutron?
0 (neutral)
Neutrons do not carry any electrical charge.
What is the charge of a proton?
+1
Protons contribute positively to the overall charge of the atom.
What is the charge of an electron?
-1
Electrons carry a negative charge, balancing the positive charge of protons in a neutral atom.
What is usually true about the number of protons and electrons in an atom?
They are equal
This balance results in the atom being electrically neutral.
What is a positron?
Antimatter version of an electron
A positron has a positive charge and the same relative mass as an electron.
What is the relative charge of a positron?
+1
Positrons have a positive charge, unlike electrons.
What is the mass number of a positron?
0
Positrons have a very small mass, close to zero.
What is the relative mass of a proton?
1
Protons have a relative mass of 1, which contributes to the mass of the nucleus.
What is the relative mass of a neutron?
1
Neutrons also have a relative mass of 1, similar to protons.
What is the relative mass of an electron?
Close to 0 (1/2,000)
Electrons are much lighter than protons and neutrons.
