Reading Mode: 2.1 Atoms

What are atoms primarily made of?

Atoms are primarily made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Fill in the blank: The smallest unit of matter is __.

atom.

Define an atom.

An atom is the basic unit of a chemical element.

What is the charge of a proton?

A proton has a positive charge.

Fill in the blank: The neutral particle in an atom's nucleus is called a __.

neutron.

What is the main difference between protons and neutrons?

Protons are positively charged, while neutrons have no charge.

Fill in the blank: Electrons have a __ charge.

negative.

How do electrons exist in an atom?

Electrons exist in orbitals around the nucleus of an atom.

What determines the atomic number of an element?

The atomic number is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus.

Fill in the blank: The mass of an atom is mainly concentrated in the __.

nucleus.

Name the three primary subatomic particles.

Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is an isotope?

An isotope is a variant of a particular chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Fill in the blank: Atoms are typically electrically neutral because they have equal numbers of and .

protons; electrons.

What are valence electrons?

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that can participate in chemical bonding.

Fill in the blank: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is called its __.

atomic number.

What is the primary function of neutrons in an atom?

Neutrons help stabilize the nucleus by adding mass without contributing to charge.

Fill in the blank: The basic building blocks of matter are __.

atoms.

What is the role of electrons in chemical reactions?

Electrons can be transferred or shared between atoms during chemical reactions.

Fill in the blank: The nucleus of an atom contains and .

protons; neutrons.

What does the term 'ion' refer to?

An ion is an atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Fill in the blank: Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called __.

isotopes.

What is the significance of valence electrons?

Valence electrons determine an atom's bonding behavior.

Fill in the blank: The overall mass of an atom is measured in __.

atomic mass units (amu).

What particle is primarily responsible for the chemical properties of an atom?

Electrons are primarily responsible for the chemical properties of an atom.

Fill in the blank: The center of an atom is called the __.

nucleus.