Periodic Table and Atomic Structure

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to atomic structure and the periodic table, assisting students in exam preparation.

Ionization

The process by which atoms that do not have a full outer s or p orbital can lose or gain electrons.

Atomic number

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

Atomic mass unit (amu)

A unit of mass used to measure atoms, defined as exactly 1/12 of the carbon-12 atom.

Valence Electrons

The outermost electrons of an atom; these determine the atom's characteristics, chemical properties, and bonding ability.

Periods

Horizontal rows in the periodic table. The electron number increases as you move from left to right, and electron arrangement becomes more complex as you move to the right and downward.

Group

A vertical column of elements in the periodic table. Atoms of elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons and, therefore, have similar properties.

Ionization

The process atoms that do not have a full outer s or p orbital can undergo.

Ion

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

Atomic Number

Equals the number of protons in the atom.

Atomic Mass

Equals the total number of protons and neutrons (the subatomic particles within the nucleus).

amu

The unit of mass that describes the mass of atoms.

Elements are ordered on the Periodic Table based on this

number of protons

On the Periodic Table, where do you find the number of Protons?

Top number, the atomic number

On the Periodic Table, where do you find the number of Electrons?

Top number, the atomic number

On the Periodic Table, where do you find the number of Neutrons?

You take the bottom number (atomic mass) minus the top number (atomic number) 

On the Periodic Table, where do you find the symbol?

The symbol is the letters that stand for the element