Subatomic Particles, Isotopes, and Ions

Vocabulary flashcards defining key terms, subatomic particle properties, isotopes, and ions based on the lecture material.

Subatomic Particles

Particles that make up an atom, specifically neutrons, protons, and electrons.

Atomic Nucleus

The tiny central core of an atom that contains almost all of its mass, with a radius only $\frac{1}{10{,}000}$ the radius of the cell.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus with a mass of $1.67262 \times 10^{-24}\,g$ ($1.0073\,amu$) and a relative charge unit of $+1$.

Neutron

An electronically neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus that is slightly larger than a proton, with a mass of $1.67493 \times 10^{-24}\,g$ ($1.0086\,amu$) and a charge unit of $0$.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle distributed around the nucleus with a mass of $9.10938 \times 10^{-28}\,g$ ($5.4858 \times 10^{-4}\,amu$) and a relative charge unit of $-1$.

Fundamental Unit of Charge ($e$)

The magnitude of electric charge on an electron, where $1\,e = -1.60 \times 10^{-19}\,C$.

Atomic Number ($Z$)

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

Mass Number ($A$)

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

Nucleons

The collective term for subatomic particles found in the atomic nucleus, specifically protons and neutrons.

Atomic Symbol Notation

A symbolic representation of an atom showing its mass number ($A$) as a superscript, atomic number ($Z$) as a subscript, and element symbol ($X$).

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number ($Z$) but different mass numbers ($A$) due to having different numbers of neutrons.

Protium

An isotope of hydrogen consisting of $1$ proton and $0$ neutrons.

Deuterium

An isotope of hydrogen consisting of $1$ proton and $1$ neutron.

Tritium

An isotope of hydrogen consisting of $1$ proton and $2$ neutrons.

Ion

A charged particle formed when a neutral atom gains or loses electrons.

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.