Nuclide Symbols Flashcards

Study Notes

Fundamental Concepts

Different numbers of protons create different elements.
Different numbers of neutrons result in different isotopes of the same element.
Different numbers of electrons lead to different ions.

Ions and Isotopes

An ion is an atom or molecule with a net electric charge caused by losing or gaining electrons.
An isotope consists of forms of the same element that have equal protons but varying neutrons, leading to different atomic masses; isotopes can be radioactive.

Atomic Structure

A proton is a positively charged particle that identifies the element an atom represents.
The atomic number indicates the number of protons in an element; for instance, Oxygen’s atomic number is 8, usually displayed in the bottom left of a nuclide symbol.
The mass number is the total count of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, found in the upper left of the nuclide symbol.

Measurement Units

The atomic mass unit (amu) is a unit of measurement describing the mass of atoms or molecules.

Nuclide Symbols

The nuclide symbol represents the atomic number, mass number, and identifies the nucleus of an atom; for example, 'C' denotes carbon.

Electrical Properties

Electrical charge indicates whether an atom has a positive or negative charge, typically shown in the top right corner of the nuclide symbol.
A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.
A positively charged atom has more protons than electrons, indicating it has lost an electron.
A negatively charged atom contains fewer protons than electrons, suggesting it has gained an electron.

Description

Explore the concepts of atomic number, mass number, ions, and isotopes through this set of flashcards. Each card presents key terms and definitions to enhance your understanding of nuclear chemistry. This resource is perfect for students looking to reinforce their knowledge of elemental structures.