Atomic Structure and Periodic Table Fundamentals

A set of Q&A flashcards covering subatomic particles, atomic structure, Dalton's theory, key experiments, and periodic table fundamentals as discussed in the lecture.

What are the three subatomic particles mentioned in the notes?

Proton, neutron, and electron.

Which two subatomic particles largely determine an atom's mass, and which particle contributes negligibly to mass?

Protons and neutrons determine mass (about 1 amu each); electrons contribute negligibly (about 0.0005 amu).

What are the electric charges of the proton, electron, and neutron?

Proton: +1, Electron: -1, Neutron: 0 (neutral).

Which particle determines an atom's identity (its element)?

The number of protons (the atomic number, Z).

What does Dalton's atomic theory say about atoms?

Atoms are indestructible; atoms of a given element are identical; atoms cannot be changed into other elements; compounds are composed of simple whole-number ratios.

What do A and Z represent in atomic notation?

Z is the atomic number (protons); A is the mass number (protons + neutrons) for a given isotope.

Who discovered the electron and by what device?

J. J. Thomson via the cathode ray tube.

Which experiment determined the charge of the electron and helped calculate its mass?

Millikan's oil drop experiment; combined with Thomson's charge-to-mass ratio to determine electron mass.

What model of the atom did Rutherford propose and what is the key feature of it?

The nuclear atom: a small, dense nucleus containing protons, with electrons orbiting and most of the atom being empty space.

Who discovered the neutron?

James Chadwick.

What is the composition of the nucleus?

Protons and neutrons.

What does the atomic number (Z) tell you about an atom?

The number of protons and the identity of the element.

What is the mass number (A)?

A = number of protons + number of neutrons for a given isotope.

What is the atomic mass?

The weighted average mass of an element's naturally occurring isotopes (in amu).

What is the relationship between protons and electrons in a neutral atom?

The numbers are equal; the overall charge is zero.

What are the four main things you typically find on a periodic table entry?

Chemical symbol, atomic number (Z), element name, and atomic mass (in more detailed tables).

What groups and categories describe the major families on the periodic table and their general properties?

Alkali metals (Group 1) are highly reactive; alkaline earth metals (Group 2) are slightly reactive; halogens (Group 17) are highly reactive nonmetals; noble gases (Group 18) are inert; metalloids (staircase) have intermediate properties between metals and nonmetals.

Where are metalloids located on the periodic table and can you name some examples?

Metalloids lie along the staircase between metals and nonmetals (e.g., boron, silicon, germanium, arsenic, antimony, tellurium, polonium).

What is special about hydrogen's placement in the periodic table according to the notes?

Hydrogen is placed in Group 1 (alkali metals) in the table shown, but it is not a metal.