Atoms, Structure and Isotopes

Flashcards covering the structure of an atom, mass number, atomic number, isotopes, relative atomic mass, ions, mass spectroscopy, relative molecular mass, and relative formula mass.

Atom

Consists of a nucleus and electrons orbiting around the nucleus. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.

Proton

A particle found in the nucleus of an atom with a positive electrical charge and a relative mass of 1.

Neutron

A particle found in the nucleus of an atom with a neutral electrical charge and a relative mass of 1.

Electron

A particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom, has a negative electrical charge, and has almost no mass.

Mass Number

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

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which determines the element.

Isotopes

Different forms of the same element, containing the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different masses.

Relative Atomic Mass

The average mass of one atom of an element compared to one-twelfth of the mass of one carbon-12 atom.

Relative Isotopic Mass

The mass of one isotope compared to one-twelfth of the mass of one carbon-12 atom.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in an electrical charge. Can be positively charged (cation) or negatively charged (anion).

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Mass Spectrometry

A technique used to separate the atoms of a sample according to their masses, allowing for the determination of isotopic composition and relative atomic mass.

Relative Molecular Mass

The mass of one molecule compared to one-twelfth of the mass of one carbon-12 atom; calculated by adding the relative atomic masses of the atoms in the molecule.

Relative Formula Mass

The term used to denote ionic compounds that do not exist as individual molecules; calculated by adding the relative atomic masses of the ions in the formula unit.