Atomic Structure Basics

Questions and Answers

The number of protons in the nucleus

The electron cloud

It creates a different isotopes of the same element

Neutral Signup and view all the answers

1/1836 the mass of a proton Signup and view all the answers

The outermost energy level Signup and view all the answers

The nucleus Signup and view all the answers

The number of protons is equal to the number of electrons Signup and view all the answers

It can either increase or decrease the stability of an atom Signup and view all the answers

The charge of a proton is equal to the charge of an electron Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Positive charge: Protons have a positive charge, which is equal in magnitude to the negative charge of an electron.
Mass: Protons have a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).
Location: Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom, which is the central part of the atom.
Number of protons: The number of protons in an atom determines the element of an atom, and each element has a unique number of protons in its atoms.

Negative charge: Electrons have a negative charge, which is equal in magnitude to the positive charge of a proton.
Mass: Electrons have a very small mass, approximately 1/1836 that of a proton.
Location: Electrons are found in the electron cloud, which is the region around the nucleus of an atom.
Energy levels: Electrons occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus, and each energy level can hold a specific number of electrons.
Valence electrons: The outermost energy level of an atom is called the valence shell, and the electrons in this shell are involved in chemical bonding.

No charge: Neutrons have no charge, they are neutral particles.
Mass: Neutrons have a mass slightly larger than that of a proton.
Location: Neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, along with protons.
Number of neutrons: The number of neutrons in an atom can vary, leading to different isotopes (atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons) of an element.
Stability: The number of neutrons in an atom can affect the stability of the nucleus, with certain numbers of neutrons leading to more stable or unstable isotopes.

Carry a positive charge, equal in magnitude to an electron's negative charge
Have a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu)
Located in the nucleus, the central part of the atom
Number of protons determines the element of an atom, with each element having a unique number of protons

Carry a negative charge, equal in magnitude to a proton's positive charge
Have a very small mass, approximately 1/1836 that of a proton
Located in the electron cloud, the region around the nucleus
Occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus, with each energy level holding a specific number of electrons
Valence electrons in the outermost energy level (valence shell) are involved in chemical bonding

Have no charge, being neutral particles
Have a mass slightly larger than that of a proton
Located in the nucleus, along with protons
Number of neutrons can vary, leading to different isotopes (atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons) of an element
Number of neutrons affects the stability of the nucleus, with certain numbers leading to more stable or unstable isotopes