Atomic Structure

What is atom

Atoms are the building blocks of matter

Molecule

Groups of 2 or more atoms

Element

A substance made entirely from 1 type of atom

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle that is found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutrally charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Nucleus

A positively charged center of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

atomic number

The amount of protons found in an atom

Atomic mass

The amount of protons and neutrons found in an atom.

Isotope.

A variant of elements that consist of the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons.

Radioisotope

When an element has either too few or too many neutrons, making the element unstable and decay.

Radioactive decay

A process radioisotopes do to become stable again.

Types of decay

Alpha radiation, Beta radiation and gamma radiation

Alpha radiation

The process of alpha particles decaying from the radioisotope.

Alpha particle

Highly energetic, positively charged particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons. The particle is heavily ionizing but low penetration, being stopped by a sheet of paper.

Process of radioactive decay for alpha particles

When a isotope is unstable, it becomes a radioisotope. The radioisotope wants to become stable again, emitting alpha radiation. This makes an alpha particle.

Beta radiation

The process of beta particles emitting from a radioisotope to become more stable.

Beta particles.

High-speed, high energy electron that has medium ionizing power and medium penetration power, not being able to pass a foil of aluminium.

Gamma radiation

The process of gamma particles being emitted from a radioisotope to become stable.

Gamma particles

A massless, highly energetic photon being emitted from an unstable radioisotope during radioactive decay.

nonmetal

A specific group of chemical elements that don’t have metallic properties. They are found on the top right hand side, other than hydrogen.

metal

Elements that do consist of metallic properties.

period

The horizontal row on a periodic table

groups

The vertical rows on a periodic table

ions

an atom or molecule with a net electric charge

how do ions form

When atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons to gain or lose electrons to achieve a stable, full outer shell.