Atoms

• What are atoms made up of?


  Atoms are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons.
• What is the smallest part of an element that can exist?


  The smallest part of an element that can exist is an atom.
• What is the radius of an atom?


  The radius of an atom is approximately 0.1 nanometres.
• What is the overall charge of an atom?


  Atoms have no overall charge.
• Where is the nucleus located in an atom?


  The nucleus is located in the middle of the atom.
• What does the nucleus contain?


  The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.
• Why does the nucleus have a positive charge?


  The nucleus has a positive charge due to the presence of protons.
• Where is most of the mass of an atom concentrated?

  Most of the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
• What is the relative mass and charge of a proton?


  A proton has a relative mass of 1 and a charge of +1.
• What is the relative mass and charge of a neutron?


  A neutron has a relative mass of 1 and a charge of 0.
• What is the relative mass and charge of an electron?


  An electron has a very small relative mass and a charge of -1.
• How do the number of protons and electrons relate in an atom?


  The number of protons equals the number of electrons in an atom.
• What does the atomic number represent?


  The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom.
• How do you calculate the number of neutrons in an atom?


  The number of neutrons is calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number.
• What is the nuclear symbol for sodium?


  The nuclear symbol for sodium is \(^{23}_{11}\text{Na}\).
• What does the mass number indicate?


  The mass number indicates the total number of protons and neutrons in the atom.
• What are the key components of atomic structure?

  • Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
  • The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.
  • Electrons orbit around the nucleus in electron shells.
  • Atoms have no overall charge.
• What are the differences between protons, neutrons, and electrons?


  • Protons:
  • Relative mass: 1
  • Charge: +1
  • Neutrons:
  • Relative mass: 1
  • Charge: 0
  • Electrons:
  • Relative mass: very small
  • Charge: -1
• What is the significance of atomic number and mass number?


  • Atomic number: Number of protons in an atom.
  • Mass number: Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
  • Neutrons = Mass number - Atomic number.
• What is the relationship between ions and atoms?

  • Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have lost or gained electrons.
  • In ions, the number of protons does not equal the number of electrons, resulting in an overall charge.