Atomic Structure and Isotopes
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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 (B)

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 (B)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The nucleus of an atom contains electrons.

<p>False (B)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Almost all of an atom is solid matter.

<p>False (B)</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 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>False (B)</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) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>False (B)</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) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The range of gamma radiation in air is infinite.

<p>True (A)</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 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Carbon-14 is a stable isotope of carbon.

<p>False (B)</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. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Scientists can accurately predict when a specific nucleus will decay.

<p>False (B)</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

Flashcards

Atomic building block

Atoms are the fundamental units of all matter.

Atomic radius

Atoms are incredibly small, with a radius of 1 × 10−10 m.

Nucleus location

A dense, central part of the atom containing protons and neutrons.

Nuclear size

The nucleus is much smaller than the whole atom but holds most of the mass.

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Proton (particle)

Positively charged particle in the atom's nucleus.

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Neutron (particle)

Uncharged particle in the atom's nucleus.

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Electron (particle)

Negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus.

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Electron mass

Electrons are extremely light; about 1/2000 the mass of a proton or neutron

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Atomic number

The number of protons in an atom. It determines the element.

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Protons

Positively charged particles found in the atom's nucleus.

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Electrons

Negatively charged particles in an atom.

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Carbon-12

A carbon atom with 6 protons.

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Number of electrons in Carbon-12

The number of electrons in a carbon-12 atom is equal to the number of protons, which is 6.

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What is the atomic number?

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus. This number defines the element.

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What is the mass number?

The mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

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How to find neutrons?

The number of neutrons can be calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number.

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Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.

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What determines the element?

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines the element.

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Alpha Decay

Alpha decay occurs when an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons. This causes the mass number to decrease by 4 and the atomic number to decrease by 2, resulting in the formation of a new element.

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What does alpha decay produce?

Alpha decay produces a new element with a reduced mass number and atomic number, along with an alpha particle.

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Why does alpha decay happen?

Alpha decay typically occurs in large, unstable nuclei. These nuclei release the alpha particle to reduce their excess energy and become more stable.

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Beta Decay

Beta decay involves the transformation of a neutron within the nucleus into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted, while the proton remains in the nucleus. This increases the atomic number, resulting in a new element.

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What causes beta decay?

Beta decay often happens in unstable nuclei with an excess of neutrons. This energy imbalance is relieved by the transformation of a neutron into a proton.

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Radioactive decay

The process where unstable atoms release energy in the form of particles or waves to become more stable.

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Alpha (α) particle

A type of radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, essentially a helium nucleus.

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Beta (β-) particle

A high-energy electron emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay.

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Gamma (γ) radiation

A form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay.

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Why are some nuclei unstable?

Unstable nuclei have an imbalance of protons and neutrons, making them prone to decay.

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What happens during radioactive decay?

Unstable nuclei emit alpha, beta, or gamma radiation, becoming more stable as they lose energy.

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What is the significance of radiation?

Radiation carries a lot of energy and can have harmful effects, but it also has applications in medicine and industry.

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Is radioactive decay predictable?

Scientists can't predict when a specific nucleus will decay, but they can predict the probability of decay over a period.

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Alpha Radiation

Alpha radiation is a type of ionizing radiation consisting of two protons and two neutrons, effectively a helium nucleus. It has a short range in air and is easily stopped by a thin sheet of paper.

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Beta Radiation

Beta radiation is a type of ionizing radiation composed of high-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. It has a longer range in air than alpha radiation and can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminium.

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Gamma Radiation

Gamma radiation is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. It has the highest penetrating power and requires thick lead to significantly reduce it.

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Penetrating Power

The ability of a type of radiation to pass through matter. Different types of radiation have different penetrating powers.

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Ionizing Ability

The ability of radiation to knock electrons out of atoms, creating ions. It's a measure of how damaging the radiation is.

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What is the least penetrating type of radiation?

Alpha radiation is the least penetrating, meaning it can be stopped by a thin sheet of paper.

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What material is needed to stop beta radiation?

A few millimeters of aluminium can stop beta radiation.

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What material is effective in reducing gamma radiation?

Thick lead is needed to significantly reduce gamma radiation.

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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

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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.

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