C1.2 - Atomic Structure

Question 1

What is an atom?

Answer 1

The smallest particle of an element that still has its chemical properties.

Question 2

What is a molecule?

Answer 2

Two or more non-metal atoms chemically joined together by covalent bonds.

Question 3

What is the bond length?

Answer 3

The distance between the centres of two atoms that are chemically joined together.

Question 4

What are the names of the three subatomic particles inside an atom and where are they?

Answer 4

• Protons, neutrons - Joined together as the nucleus
  at the centre.
• Electrons - Surrounding the nucleus occupying
  fixed energy levels.

Question 5

Recall the subatomic particle table.

Answer 5

• Proton, +1, 1
• Neutron, 0, 1
• Electron, -1, 0.0005

Question 6

What is the atomic number of an element?

Answer 6

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Question 7

What is the mass number of an element?

Answer 7

The number of protons and neutrons contained within the nucleus.

Question 8

What are isotopes of an element?

Answer 8

• Isotopes contain the same number of protons but
  different number of neutrons.
• Same atomic number, different mass number.

Question 9

What are ions?

Answer 9

• Ions are charged particles.
• Formed when atoms or groups of atoms, lose or
  gain electrons.