Unit 3: Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry

Proton

A subatomic particle that has a positive charge and that is found in the nucleus of an atom; Has a relative mass of 1 amu

Neutron

A subatomic particle that has no/neutral charge and that is found in the nucleus of an atom; Has a relative mass of 1 amu

Electron

A subatomic particle that has a negative charge and found outside the nucleus; Has a relative mass of around 0 amu

Atomic number

the number of protons in an atom, specific to each element

Mass number

the total number of protons and neutrons, the average mass of an atom

Equation to finding # of neutrons given the # of protons and mass number

Mass # - # protons (atomic #) = neutrons

How find the atomic charge

# of protons - # of electrons

The result of the atomic charge when there are more electrons

Results in a negative ion called anion

The result of the atomic charge when there are more protons

Results in a positive ion called cation

The result of the atomic charge when there are equal # protons and electrons

Results in a neutral atom

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons which means the same element but with different numbers of neutrons

Average atomic mass location

Located under the atomic # and element symbol

How was Average Atomic Mass calculated

Calulated by its weighted average of all the isotopes of each element, based on each abundance percentages

Mass Spectometry

The act of measuring the abundance ("prevalence") of various isotopes of an element

The mole

Used to describe a certain amount of matter. That amount is 6.02 x 10^23 of the smallest particles that make up that form of matter

Molar mass

The number of grams of 1 mole of an element or compound

Units are g/mole

Radioisotopes

Isotopes that are radioactive meaning releasing particles and/or energy.

Fission

Nucleus will break apart and form smaller nuclei

Fussion

Nuclei are combining to form a larger nucleus

Half life

the time it takes a sample to become half as much

What is the graph for a half life

Exponential decay that never gets to zero

Types of radiation

alpha, beta, gamma

alpha radiation

Radiation that is made up of alpha particles that has a neutral charge and is stopped by paper, metal, foil, thick clothing

Beta radiation

Radiation that is made up of beta particles that is negavitely charged and can be stopped by metal sheeting, dense wood, heavy clothing

gamma radiation

a type of nuclear radiation made of high-energy waves that can be stopped by thick walls of lead, concrete