Atomic Structure

• What is all matter made from?

  Atoms
• What are the three types of particles that make up atoms?

  Protons, neutrons, electrons

  
• Where are protons and neutrons located in an atom?

  In the nucleus of an atom
• What is the charge of a stable atom?

  Neutral, it has no charge
• Why does a stable atom have an equal number of protons and electrons?

  To keep the overall charge neutral
• What does 'specific' refer to in physics?

  Characteristic of a property of a substance
• How is specific charge defined in atomic physics?

  Ratio of total charge to mass
• What is the formula for specific charge?

  $\text{specific charge} =$$\frac{Q}{m}$
• In what units is specific charge measured?

  Coulombs per kilogram (C kg$^{-1}$)
• What is the specific charge of the electron?

  $1.76 \times 10^{11} \text{ C kg}^{-1}$
• What is the specific charge of the proton?

  $9.58 \times 10^{11} \text{ C kg}^{-1}$
• How do you calculate the specific charge of an ion?

  Charge divided by mass
• What is the charge of a proton or electron?

  $1.60 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}$
• What is the mass of a proton or neutron?

  $1.67 \times 10^{-27} \text{ kg}$
• What are the steps to calculate the specific charge of an ion?

  1. Determine charge: Total electrons × charge of electron
  2. Determine mass: Total nucleons × mass of one nucleon
  3. Use specific charge formula: $\text{specific charge} =$$\frac{Q}{m}$
• How is the total mass of an ion calculated?

  Using nucleon number and mass of one nucleon
• What does the notation $^{12}_{24}\text{Mg}^{2-}$ indicate?


  Ion contains 24 nucleons in total
• How do you calculate the total charge on an ion that gains electrons?

  Charge of electrons multiplied by number gained
• What happens to the specific charge if an ion gains electrons?

  It becomes negative
• What happens to the specific charge if an ion loses electrons?

  It becomes positive
• What are the steps to calculate the specific charge of a nucleus?

  1. Determine charge: Total charge of protons
  2. Determine mass: Total nucleons × mass of one nucleon
  3. Use specific charge formula: $\text{specific charge} =$$\frac{Q}{m}$
• What are the key differences between an atom and its nucleus?

  • Atom consists of nucleus and electrons
  • Nucleus contains protons and neutrons only

  
• What is the significance of specific charge in atomic physics?

  • Indicates how charge is distributed
  • Helps in identifying particles