Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of atomic structure and the organization of the Periodic Table based on lecture notes.

Atomic number

The number of protons contained in an atom; it increases by one with every element in the Periodic Table.

Mass number

The total number of protons and neutrons within an atom of an element.

Protons

Subatomic particles that have a positive charge.

Electrons

Subatomic particles that have a negative charge.

Neutrons

Subatomic particles that have no charge.

Overall Charge of an Atom

An atom has no overall charge because the number of protons is the same as the number of electrons.

Periodic Table Mass Trend

Atoms of elements increase in mass as you progress from left to right and downwards.

Lithium Atomic Details

A metal with an atomic number of $3$ and a mass number of $7$, meaning it has $3$ protons, $3$ electrons, and $4$ neutrons.

Neutron Calculation

Determined by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number; for example, lithium is $7 - 3 = 4$.