Atomic Structure and Isotopes
38 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

How many protons are in a carbon-12 atom?

  • 6 (correct)
  • 8
  • 4
  • 10

    • Electrons have a significant mass compared to protons and neutrons.

    False

    What is the atomic number of Sodium?

    11

    The atomic number of an element is determined by the number of __________.

    <p>protons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following elements with their atomic numbers:

    <p>Hydrogen = 1 Carbon = 6 Uranium = 92 Sodium = 11</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An atom of gold has more protons than neutrons.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many electrons are in an atom of gold?

    <p>79</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The number of neutrons in an atom of gold is equal to the mass number minus the atomic number, which is _________ (mass number) - 79 (atomic number).

    <p>197</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following aspects of gold:

    <p>79 = Number of protons 197 = Mass number 118 = Number of neutrons Electrons = 79</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the radius of an atom approximately?

    <p>$1 × 10^{-10}$ m</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The nucleus of an atom contains electrons.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?

    <p>Protons and neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The relative mass of a neutron is ______ unit.

    <p>one</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following particles with their relative charge:

    <p>Proton = Positively charged Neutron = No charge Electron = Negatively charged</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the mass of an electron compare to that of a proton?

    <p>1/2000 the mass of a proton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Almost all of an atom is solid matter.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate distance electrons would be from the nucleus if drawn to scale?

    <p>100 meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the mass number during alpha decay?

    <p>Decreases by 4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Beta decay results in the emission of a neutron from the nucleus.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What particle is emitted during alpha decay?

    <p>alpha particle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An alpha decay reaction can be represented by the equation AX → A − 4Y + 4______.

    <p>α</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of decay with its description:

    <p>Alpha decay = Emission of an alpha particle from an unstable nucleus Beta decay = Neutron converts into a proton and emits an electron Gamma decay = Emission of high-energy photons Neutron emission = Release of neutrons from a nucleus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following types of radiation is the least penetrating?

    <p>Alpha (α)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Gamma rays can be completely stopped by a thin sheet of lead.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What material can stop alpha particles?

    <p>paper</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Beta particles are stopped by a few millimetres of __________.

    <p>aluminium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of radiation with its characteristics:

    <p>Alpha (α) = Helium nucleus Beta (β) = Stopped by aluminium Gamma (γ) = Reduced by lead</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which radiation type has a moderate ionising ability?

    <p>Beta (β)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The range of gamma radiation in air is infinite.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a Geiger-Muller tube experiment, what are students trying to measure?

    <p>count rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes some atomic nuclei to be unstable?

    <p>Imbalance of protons or neutrons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Carbon-14 is a stable isotope of carbon.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main process that unstable nuclei go through to become more stable?

    <p>radioactive decay</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Unstable nuclei decay by emitting __________, which can be in the form of particles or waves.

    <p>radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of radiation with their symbols:

    <p>Alpha = α Beta = β- Gamma = γ Delta = δ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes radiation?

    <p>It refers to particles or waves emitted from a decaying nucleus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Scientists can accurately predict when a specific nucleus will decay.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one type of radiation emitted during radioactive decay.

    <p>Alpha particles, Beta particles, or Gamma radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Atomic Structure

    • Atoms are the building blocks of all matter
    • Atoms have a tiny, dense nucleus at their centre, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus
    • The radius of the nucleus is over 10,000 times smaller than the whole atom, but it contains almost all of the mass of the atom
    • The radius of an atom is approximately 1 x 10⁻¹⁰ m
    • The nucleus contains protons and neutrons
    • Protons have a positive charge (+1) and a relative mass of 1
    • Neutrons have no charge (0) and a relative mass of 1
    • Electrons orbit the nucleus and have a negative charge (-1) and a relative mass of 1/2000 (negligible)
    • The total charge within an atom is zero, because the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons
    • Atoms of the same element will have the same number of protons.

    Isotopes

    • Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons
    • Each element can have more than one isotope
    • Isotopes of the same element have equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons
    • Some isotopes are more unstable than others due to the imbalance of protons and neutrons

    Types of Radiation

    • Some atomic nuclei are unstable and radioactive
    • This is because of an imbalance of protons or neutrons in the nucleus
    • Unstable nuclei decay by emitting high energy particles or waves
    • The different types of radiation that can be emitted are:
      • Alpha (α) particles: consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons; low penetrating power
      • Beta (β) particles: high-energy electrons; moderate penetrating power
      • Gamma (γ) radiation: electromagnetic waves; high penetrating power
    • Alpha particles are also helium nuclei
    • Beta particles are high energy electrons
    • Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves
    • The radiation emitted in radioactive decay removes energy from the nucleus, making it more stable.

    Decay Equations

    • Alpha decay: The mass number of the nucleus decreases by 4, and the atomic number decreases by 2
    • Beta decay: The mass number of the nucleus stays the same, and the atomic number increases by 1
    • Gamma decay: The mass number and atomic number of the nucleus remain the same, only energy is reduced
    • Neutron emission: The mass number of the nucleus is reduced by one while the atomic number remains the same

    Detecting Radiation

    • Photographic film: darkens when exposed to ionizing radiation. The exposure can be measured by the darkness of the film.
    • Geiger-Müller tube: detects ionizing radiation by measuring the electrical pulses produced by the radiation. The more frequent the pulses, the higher the radiation level
    • Background radiation: natural radiation present in the environment; must be accounted for in measuring radiation from sources

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    Edexcel IGCSE Physics: Double Science Past Paper PDF

    Description

    Explore the fundamental concepts of atomic structure and isotopes in this quiz. Understand the composition of atoms, the roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and learn how isotopes differ while being of the same element. Test your knowledge about the building blocks of matter and their characteristics.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser