Ionization, Atomic Structure, and Isotopes Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering ionization, radiation, ions, isotopes, isobars, and electron shell capacity.

Ionization

Occurs when an electron is ejected from a neutral atom, leaving behind a positive ion.

Ionizing Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation with sufficient energy to eject atomic electrons.

Energy Loss of Charged Particles

The loss of energy by a charged particle increases with increasing charge and decreasing particle velocity.

Excitations

Occurs when energy lost from energetic particles raises atomic electrons to more distant atomic shells.

Electron-Ion Pair

The result produced when an electron is removed from a neutral atom, leaving behind a positive ion.

Ion

Any atom or group of atoms that bears one or more positive or negative electrical charges.

Cations

Positively charged ions.

Anions

Negatively charged ions.

Isobars

Atoms having the same atomic mass numbers but different numbers of protons and neutrons (e.g., Chlorine-40, Argon-40, and Potassium-40).

Isotopes

Atoms composed of nuclei with the same number of protons (same atomic numbers) but different numbers of neutrons (different mass numbers).

Radio-isotopes

Isotopes capable of performing radioactivity, whose nucleus is said to be unstable.

Maximum Electrons per Shell Formula

$2n^2$, where $n$ is the shell number.

Outer Shell Rule

No outer shell can contain more than $8$ electrons.

P Shell

The $6\text{th}$ shell from the nucleus, which has a maximum capacity of $2(6)^2 = 72$ electrons.