Atomic Structure and Theory Flashcards

Atomic Structure and Theory

• Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom, key in determining the atom's identity.
• Neutrons are neutral particles, also located in the nucleus, contributing to the atom's mass but not its charge.
• Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus, essential in chemical bonding and reactions.
• Atomic number defines the number of protons in an atom, which identifies the specific element.
• Atomic mass number is the total count of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, reflecting the atom's mass.
• The electron cloud is a visual model depicting regions where electrons are likely to be found surrounding the nucleus.
• Isotopes are variants of an element with the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons, leading to varying mass numbers.
• Energy levels refer to the specific energies that electrons can possess within an atom, influencing their orbits.
• Orbitals are regions of three-dimensional space around the nucleus where the probability of finding an electron is high.
• Electron configuration details the specific arrangement of electrons in the atom's orbitals, impacting chemical properties.
• Dalton proposed that matter is composed of indivisible atoms, forming a foundational view of atomic theory.
• JJ Thomson conducted experiments leading to the discovery of smaller particles within the atom, introducing the Plum Pudding Model to represent atomic structure.
• Rutherford determined that an atom's positive charge resides in a dense nucleus, rather than being spread throughout.
• Bohr developed a model illustrating the arrangement of electrons in specific energy levels around the nucleus.
• Valence electrons are found in the outermost energy level of an atom, playing a crucial role in chemical bonding and reactivity.