Atoms and Subatomic Particles

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts related to atoms and their subatomic particles.

atom

The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to the atomic mass and identity of an element.

neutron

A subatomic particle that has no charge and is found in the nucleus of an atom, playing a crucial role in stabilizing the nucleus.

electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom, playing a crucial role in chemical bonding and reactions.

nucleus

The central region of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, which contains most of the atom's mass and positively charged particles.

ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances and consists of only one type of atom.

isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, resulting in different mass numbers.

lewis structure

A diagram that represents the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. It uses dots to represent electrons and lines to indicate bonds.

Bohr model

A model of the atom that includes the protons and neutrons in the nucleus and how many electrons orbit in the electron shells.