Atomic and Mass Numbers

• What is meant by an isotope?

  Atoms of the same element with different neutrons
• What is an ion?

  An atom with a charge due to lost or gained electrons
• What do atoms contain in their nucleus?

  Protons and neutrons
• What charge do protons have?

  Positive charge
• What charge do neutrons have?

  No charge
• What charge do electrons have?

  Negative charge
• Why do atoms have no overall charge?

  Electrons equal the number of protons
• What is the atomic number?

  The number of protons in an atom
• How many protons does a sodium atom have?

  11 protons
• What does the mass number represent?

  Total number of protons and neutrons
• How do you calculate the number of neutrons?

  Mass number minus atomic number
• How many neutrons does sodium have if its mass number is 23?

  12 neutrons
• What are isotopes?

  Atoms of the same element with different neutrons
• What happens when a sodium atom loses one electron?

  It becomes a sodium ion with a +1 charge
• What is the charge of a sodium ion after losing one electron?

  +1 charge
• Can atoms gain electrons to form negative ions?

  Yes, but it's not required in physics
• What happens if an atom loses two electrons?

  It has a +2 charge
• What is the relationship between protons and electrons in a neutral atom?

  They are equal in number
• How does the presence of neutrons affect the identity of an element?

  Different neutrons create isotopes of the same element
• What will you find plenty of questions on in the workbook?

  Atomic and mass numbers, isotopes, and ions
• What is the significance of the atomic number for an element?

  It defines the element's identity
• Why is it important that all sodium atoms have 11 protons?

  It ensures they are all sodium atoms
• How do isotopes differ from ions?

  Isotopes differ in neutrons, ions differ in electrons
• What is the overall charge of a neutral atom?

  No overall charge
• What is the larger number in the element symbol called?

  Mass number
• What does the atomic number tell us about an element?

  It tells us the number of protons
• If an atom has 15 protons and 15 electrons, what is its charge?

  No charge
• How do the properties of isotopes affect their stability?

  Some isotopes are radioactive and unstable
• What is the relationship between mass number and atomic number?

  Mass number is protons plus neutrons
• What is the charge of a sodium ion after losing two electrons?

  +2 charge
• What happens to the charge of an atom when it gains electrons?

  It becomes negatively charged
• If an atom has 8 protons and 7 neutrons, what is its mass number?

  15
• How does losing electrons affect an atom's identity?

  It becomes an ion with a charge
• What is the significance of the number of protons in an atom?

  It determines the element's identity
• What is the relationship between atomic structure and chemical behavior?

  Atomic structure determines chemical properties
• How do isotopes of an element differ in terms of neutrons?

  They have different numbers of neutrons
• What is the charge of a neutral atom?

  No charge
• What does the atomic number indicate about an element?

  It indicates the number of protons
• How does the loss of electrons affect the overall charge of an atom?

  It creates a positive charge
• If a sodium atom has 11 protons and loses one electron, how many protons does it have?

  11 protons