Atomic Structure and Radioactivity

Subdecks (2)

Cards (95)

  • Atom
    Basic structure of atoms
  • Atoms are very small, with a radius around 1 * 10 ^ of - 10 m
  • Nucleus
    Central region of an atom, with a radius less than 1,000th the radius of the atom
  • Nucleus
    • Contains protons (positive charge) and neutrons (no charge)
    • Has an overall positive charge
  • Electrons

    Surround the nucleus and have a negative charge
  • Energy levels

    Distances from the nucleus where electrons are found
  • Energy levels further from the nucleus

    Are at a higher energy
  • Electron arrangement changes

    1. Absorb electromagnetic radiation (e.g. light)
    2. Electron moves to higher energy level
    3. Emit electromagnetic radiation
    4. Electron returns to lower energy level
  • Atomic number
    The number of protons in an atom
  • Mass number

    The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom
  • Calculating the number of neutrons
    Subtract the atomic number from the mass number
  • Isotope
    Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons
  • Ion
    An atom that has lost or gained one or more electrons, giving it an overall positive or negative charge
  • When an atom loses one electron

    The ion has a +1 charge
  • When an atom loses two electrons

    The ion has a +2 charge
  • Atoms can also gain electrons to form negative ions
  • The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons
  • Atoms have no overall charge because the positive charge of the protons is cancelled out by the negative charge of the electrons