Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Flashcards covering key concepts related to atomic structure and the periodic table.

Atom

The smallest unit of a substance, made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Nucleus

The central part of the atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Proton

A subatomic particle with a relative mass of 1 and a positive charge (+1).

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a relative mass of 1 and no charge (0).

Electron

A subatomic particle that is very small and negatively charged (-1), often considered to have zero mass.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Ion

An atom or group of atoms that has lost or gained electrons, resulting in an overall charge.

Charge Neutrality

Atoms are neutral because they contain equal numbers of protons and electrons.

Electron Shell

The region around the nucleus where electrons move and cover a lot of space.