Atomic Structure and Fundamental Forces

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on atomic notation, binding energy, natural forces, and electron shell configurations.

Atomic Mass Number ($A$)

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number ($Z$)

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Mass

The relative mass of a specific isotope of an element.

Atomic Mass Unit (amu)

A unit of mass defined as $\frac{1}{2}$ of the mass of a carbon-12 atom ($^{12}\text{C}$), where $1\,\text{amu} = 1.66 \times 10^{27}\,\text{kg}$.

Electron Binding Energy

The strength of attachment of an electron to the nucleus, representing the minimum energy required to remove an electron from an atom, measured in electron volts (eVolt).

Centrifugal Force

The flying-out-from-the-center force that enables electrons to maintain their distance from the nucleus while traveling in a circular or elliptical path.

Centripetal Force

The center-seeking force that keeps an electron in orbit around the nucleus, resulting from the attraction between opposite charges.

Electromagnetic Force

A force combining the effects of electrical charge and magnetism that can either attract or repel particles on which it acts.

Weak Nuclear Force

The mechanism of interaction between subatomic particles responsible for radioactive decay and stabilizing unstable atomic nuclei.

Strong Nuclear Force

The force that opposes the electromagnetic force of repulsion between protons, keeping the protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus.

Gravitational Force

The force of attraction exerted between objects in nature whenever matter is present.

Electron Shell

The outside part of an atom surrounding the atomic nucleus, labeled with codes such as K, L, M, and N to represent relative electron binding energies.

Valence Shell

The outermost shell of an atom in its uncombined state, containing the electrons most likely to account for bonding interactions and chemical reactions.

Valence Electrons

The electrons contained within the valence shell of an atom.