Subatomic particles, Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes

Subatomic Particles

a particle smaller than an atom (e.g., a neutron) or a cluster of such particles (e.g., an alpha particle).

Atom

the basic unit of a chemical element.

Ions

an atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Isotopes

each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element.

What are three types of subatomic particles?

The three main subatomic particles that form an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons. The center of the atom is called the nucleus. First, let's learn a bit about protons and neutrons, and then we will talk about electrons a little later. Protons and neutrons make up the nucleus of an atom.

Atom example

The element helium contains atoms with two protons in the nucleus. The element iron contains atoms with 26 protons. The element oxygen contains atoms with eight protons. And the element gold contains atoms with 79 protons.

What's it called if electrons are lost in ions?

Anion

what's it called if electrons are gained in ions?

Cation

What does AMU stand for?

Average Mass Unit

What are three different types of atoms?

Every atom is made up of three kinds of smaller particles, called protons (which are positively charged), neutrons (which have no charge) and electrons (which are negatively charged). The protons and neutrons are heavier, and stay in the middle of the atom. They are called the nucleus.

Isotopes Example

The number of nucleons (both protons and neutrons) in the nucleus is the atom's mass number, and each isotope of a given element has a different mass number. For example, carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14 are three isotopes of the element carbon with mass numbers 12, 13 and 14 respectively.

Alpha Particle

a helium nucleus emitted by some radioactive substances, originally regarded as a ray.