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Questions and Answers
What is an atom composed of?
What is an atom composed of?
An atom consists of a nucleus of protons and generally neutrons, surrounded by an electromagnetically-bound swarm of electrons.
How are chemical elements distinguished from each other?
How are chemical elements distinguished from each other?
Chemical elements are distinguished from each other by the number of protons that are in their atoms.
What are isotopes of the same element?
What are isotopes of the same element?
Atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons are called isotopes of the same element.
Why is it not possible to see atoms with conventional microscopes?
Why is it not possible to see atoms with conventional microscopes?
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How is the electric charge of an atom determined?
How is the electric charge of an atom determined?
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What is the primary factor that distinguishes one chemical element from another?
What is the primary factor that distinguishes one chemical element from another?
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What term is used for atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons?
What term is used for atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons?
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What is the primary reason why humans cannot see atoms with conventional microscopes?
What is the primary reason why humans cannot see atoms with conventional microscopes?
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What makes up more than 99.94% of an atom's mass?
What makes up more than 99.94% of an atom's mass?
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When is an atom considered electrically neutral as a whole?
When is an atom considered electrically neutral as a whole?
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Study Notes
Atomic Structure
- An atom is composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus, which is the central part of the atom.
- Electrons orbit around the nucleus.
Chemical Elements
- Chemical elements are distinguished from each other by the number of protons in their atomic nuclei.
- Each element has a unique number of protons, known as the atomic number.
Isotopes
- Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
- Isotopes of the same element have the same atomic number but differ in their mass number.
Visibility of Atoms
- Atoms cannot be seen with conventional microscopes because they are extremely small.
- The primary reason for this is that atoms are much smaller than the wavelength of visible light.
Electric Charge of an Atom
- The electric charge of an atom is determined by the number of protons and electrons.
- An atom is considered electrically neutral as a whole when it has an equal number of protons and electrons.
Atomic Mass
- Protons and neutrons make up more than 99.94% of an atom's mass.
- Electrons have a very small mass compared to protons and neutrons.
Atomic Number and Identity
- The primary factor that distinguishes one chemical element from another is its atomic number.
- The term "isotope" is used to describe atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the basic structure of atoms, including the composition of the nucleus and the arrangement of electrons. Explore the concept of isotopes and their significance in distinguishing chemical elements.