Questions and Answers
What defines the isotope of an element?
The number of neutrons
Why is it not possible to see atoms with conventional microscopes?
Atoms are smaller than the shortest wavelength of visible light
What distinguishes chemical elements from each other?
The number of protons in their atoms
What percentage of an atom's mass is in the nucleus?
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What makes accurately predicting the behavior of atoms using classical physics impossible?
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Study Notes
Atomic Structure and Properties
- The isotope of an element is defined by the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.
- Atoms cannot be seen with conventional microscopes because they are extremely small, with sizes measured in picometers (10^-12 meters).
- Chemical elements are distinguished from each other by the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom, known as the atomic number.
- The nucleus of an atom contains approximately 99.9% of the atom's total mass.
- Accurately predicting the behavior of atoms using classical physics is impossible because atoms exhibit wave-like behavior and possess quantized energy levels, which are principles of quantum mechanics.
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