Atomic Structure and Subatomic Particles

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Questions and Answers

What is the principal quantum number (n) used to describe?

  • The intrinsic spin of the electron
  • The orientation of the electron's orbital
  • The shape of an electron's orbital
  • The energy level of the electron (correct)

Which sublevel can hold a maximum of 6 electrons?

  • d sublevel
  • p sublevel (correct)
  • f sublevel
  • s sublevel

What do periodic trends like electronegativity and ionization energy primarily depend on?

  • The mass of isotopes in an element
  • The arrangement of energy levels and sublevels (correct)
  • The number of neutrons in an atom
  • The number of protons in the nucleus

Which quantum number describes the shape of the electron's orbital?

<p>Azimuthal quantum number (l) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which level has more capacity for electrons?

<p>The fourth energy level (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the atomic number (Z) of an element?

<p>Number of protons in the nucleus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following particles is found in the nucleus of an atom?

<p>Protons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the mass number (A) of an atom differ from its atomic number (Z)?

<p>A is the total number of protons and neutrons (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What accurately describes the modern model of the atom?

<p>Electrons occupy orbitals that define regions of high probability (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which property distinguishes isotopes of the same element from each other?

<p>Number of neutrons (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the average atomic mass of an element take into account?

<p>Relative abundance of isotopes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about electrons in an atom?

<p>Electrons can only exist in fixed orbits (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do neutrons play in an atom?

<p>They contribute to the mass but not the charge (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

Mass Number

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

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic Mass

The mass of a single atom, usually expressed in atomic mass units (amu).

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Average Atomic Mass

The weighted average of the atomic masses of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element.

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Proton

Positively charged particle found in the atomic nucleus.

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Neutron

Neutral particle found in the atomic nucleus.

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Electron

Negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus.

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Atomic vs. Average Atomic Mass

Atomic mass is the mass of a specific isotope, while average atomic mass is the weighted average of the masses of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element.

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Electron Configuration

The arrangement of electrons in an atom's energy levels, sublevels, and orbitals.

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Quantum Numbers

A set of four numbers describing an electron’s properties: energy level, shape of orbital, orbital orientation, and spin.

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Principal Quantum Number (n)

Describes the energy level an electron occupies.

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Periodic Trends

Patterns in properties of elements across the periodic table, related to atomic structure and electron arrangement.

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Study Notes

Atomic Structure

  • Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter. They consist of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by orbiting electrons.

  • The nucleus is incredibly dense, containing most of the atom's mass. Electrons are much lighter and occupy a significantly larger volume around the nucleus.

  • Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge (are neutral). The number of protons defines the element.

  • Atomic number (Z) = number of protons in the nucleus. This determines the element. For a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons.

  • Mass number (A) = number of protons + number of neutrons. This differs between isotopes of the same element, which have the same number of protons but varying numbers of neutrons.

Subatomic Particles

  • Protons: Positively charged particles located within the atomic nucleus. They are relatively massive compared to electrons.

  • Neutrons: Neutral particles found in the atomic nucleus. Their mass is very similar to that of protons.

  • Electrons: Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus in specific energy levels or electron shells. They have a significantly smaller mass than protons or neutrons.

Atomic Models

  • Historical models of the atom, like the plum pudding model and the Bohr model, have evolved over time. They have increasingly accurately described the atom's structure.

  • The modern model describes electrons as existing in orbitals rather than precise orbits. These orbitals define regions of high probability for finding an electron, and electrons can move between them.

Isotopes

  • Isotopes are atoms of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons.

  • Isotopes have the same atomic number (Z) but different mass numbers (A).

  • Isotopes have nearly identical chemical properties, as the chemical behavior is primarily determined by the number of electrons.

  • The existence of isotopes is important for radiometric dating and nuclear chemistry. The different isotopes of an element can have different stabilities and radioactive decay rates.

Atomic Mass and Average Atomic Mass

  • Atomic mass refers to the mass of a single atom, typically given in atomic mass units (amu).

  • The periodic table lists average atomic mass, which is a weighted average of the masses of all the naturally occurring isotopes of an element, considering their relative abundance.

  • The differences between atomic and average atomic mass reflect the variations in isotopic composition in natural samples.

Electron Configuration and Energy Levels

  • Electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus. These are often represented by principal quantum numbers (n).

  • The innermost energy levels hold fewer electrons than the outermost levels.

  • Electrons within each energy level occupy specific sublevels (s, p, d, f). These sublevels have specific shapes and orientations in space, which determine electron behaviour.

  • The arrangement of electrons in an atom's energy levels, sublevels, and orbitals is the electron configuration.

Quantum Numbers

  • Quantum numbers are a set of four numbers describing the properties of an electron.

  • Principle quantum number (n): describes the energy level of the electron.

  • Azimuthal quantum number (l): describes the shape of the electron's orbital.

  • Magnetic quantum number (ml): describes the orientation of the electron's orbital in space.

  • Spin quantum number (ms): describes the intrinsic angular momentum or "spin" of the electron (either +1/2 or -1/2).

  • The periodic table arranges elements based on atomic structure and chemical properties.

  • Trends like electronegativity, ionization energy, and atomic radius correlate with the arrangement of energy levels and the number of protons and electrons in the atoms.

  • These trends allow understanding of how elements will interact and react in different chemical processes.

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