Atomic Structure Quiz

Questions and Answers

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?

Chemical elements are distinguished from each other by the number of protons that are in their atoms.

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?

Atoms are so small that accurately predicting their behavior using classical physics is not possible due to quantum effects, and they are smaller than the shortest wavelength of visible light. Signup and view all the answers

How is the electric charge of an atom determined?

If the numbers of protons and electrons are equal, then the atom is electrically neutral. If an atom has more electrons than protons, then it has an overall negative charge, and is called a negative ion (or anion). Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that distinguishes one chemical element from another?

The number of protons in their atoms Signup and view all the answers

What term is used for atoms with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons?

Isotopes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why humans cannot see atoms with conventional microscopes?

Atoms are smaller than the shortest wavelength of visible light Signup and view all the answers

What makes up more than 99.94% of an atom's mass?

The nucleus Signup and view all the answers

When is an atom considered electrically neutral as a whole?

When the numbers of protons and electrons are equal Signup and view all the answers

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.