Atomic Structure Quiz

Subatomic Particles

• Protons:
  • Positive charge
  • Found in the nucleus (center) of the atom
  • Number of protons determines the element (atomic number)
• Neutrons:
  • No charge (neutral)
  • Found in the nucleus along with protons
  • Number of neutrons determines the isotope of an element
• Electrons:
  • Negative charge
  • Found in energy levels (shells) around the nucleus
  • Number of electrons equals the number of protons (neutral atom)

Atomic Structure

• Nucleus:
  • Center of the atom
  • Composed of protons and neutrons
• Electron Shells:
  • Energy levels around the nucleus
  • Can hold a specific number of electrons
  • Shells are labeled K, L, M, N, etc. (increasing energy)

Electron Arrangement

• Electron Configuration:
  • The arrangement of electrons in an atom's shells
  • Written in a specific notation (e.g., 1s2 2s2 2p6)
• Valence Electrons:
  • Electrons in the outermost shell
  • Involved in chemical bonding

Atomic Size and Mass

• Atomic Radius:
  • Distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron
  • Decreases from left to right across a period (row) in the periodic table
• Atomic Mass:
  • Total mass of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
  • Average mass of an element's isotopes

Subatomic Particles

• Protons have a positive charge and are found in the nucleus of an atom, with the number of protons determining the element (atomic number).
• Neutrons have no charge, are found in the nucleus, and the number of neutrons determines the isotope of an element.
• Electrons have a negative charge, are found in energy levels (shells) around the nucleus, and the number of electrons in a neutral atom equals the number of protons.

Atomic Structure

• The nucleus is the center of the atom, composed of protons and neutrons.
• Electron shells are energy levels around the nucleus that can hold a specific number of electrons, labeled K, L, M, N, etc. in increasing energy.

Electron Arrangement

• Electron configuration is the arrangement of electrons in an atom's shells, written in a specific notation (e.g., 1s2 2s2 2p6).
• Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell, involved in chemical bonding.

Atomic Size and Mass

• Atomic radius is the distance from the nucleus to the outermost electron, decreasing from left to right across a period (row) in the periodic table.
• Atomic mass is the total mass of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, which is the average mass of an element's isotopes.

Test your knowledge of subatomic particles, atomic structure, and how they interact. Learn about protons, neutrons, electrons, and the nucleus.