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Understanding Atomic Structure Basics

Atomic structure consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons. [1] The atomic number determines the identity of an element and equals the number of protons. [2] The average atomic mass on the periodic table refers to the mass number, which equals the number of protons plus neutrons. [3] The charge of an atom is determined by the difference between its protons and electrons.

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10 views1 page

Understanding Atomic Structure Basics

Atomic structure consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons. [1] The atomic number determines the identity of an element and equals the number of protons. [2] The average atomic mass on the periodic table refers to the mass number, which equals the number of protons plus neutrons. [3] The charge of an atom is determined by the difference between its protons and electrons.

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mrallenchem
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Atomic Structure

(Mass #)  15 3+  (charge)

N
(Atomic #)  7
Atoms consist of:
Protons (P+) : positive charge found in nucleus
Neutrons (N0 ) : No charge (neutral); found in nucleus
Electrons (e-) : Negative charge; found outside the nucleus

Atomic number
- Is the number of P+ in the nucleus
- Thus # of P+ always equal the atomic number
- Periodic table is in order of increasing atomic #
Ex: Carbon is # 6 on the periodic table has 6 P+ and an atomic number 6
Zinc is # 30 on the periodic table has 30 P+ and an atomic number 30
- The identity of the atom is determined by the atomic number
Ex: Nitrogen has 7P+. If it had one more P+ it is no longer Nitrogen, now
it is Oxygen because it has 8 P+

Average Atomic Mass


- The number given on the periodic table with the decimal point in it is the
average atomic mass
Note: may differ slightly from one periodic table to another
Ex: Nitrogen: 14.0067

Mass Number
- Number of nucleons, which are particles in nucleus (these are P+ and N0)
- (P+) + (N0 ) = mass #
- Therefore number of N0 = (Mass #) - (P+)
Ex: isotope nitrogen -14 or 14N
mass number = 14, P+ = 7
N0 = (Mass #) - (P+) OR N0 = (14) – (7) Therefore N0= 7

Isotope nitrogen -15 OR 15N


mass number = 15, P+ = 7
N0 = (Mass #) - (P+) OR N0 = (15) – (7) Therefore N0= 8

Charge
- caused when there are more or less e- than P+
Ex: 6 P+ and 6 e- = 0 charge
6 P+ and 7 e- = -1 charge
6 P+ and 8 e- = -2 charge
6 P+ and 5 e- = +1 charge

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