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1.1 Atomic Structure and Isotopes

Atomic structure consists of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons orbiting the nucleus. The number of protons determines the element and is called the atomic number. Atoms are neutral due to having the same number of protons and electrons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Atoms can gain or lose electrons to form ions and achieve a full outer electron shell. Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell.

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16 views

1.1 Atomic Structure and Isotopes

Atomic structure consists of protons and neutrons in the nucleus and electrons orbiting the nucleus. The number of protons determines the element and is called the atomic number. Atoms are neutral due to having the same number of protons and electrons. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Atoms can gain or lose electrons to form ions and achieve a full outer electron shell. Ions are formed when atoms gain or lose electrons to achieve a full outer shell.

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jackmclaughlin21072
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Atomic Structure and

isotopes
Atomic structure

• Nucleus contains protons and neutrons

• Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells


Atoms are mostly empty space
Proton / Atomic number

 Atoms of an element always contain the same number


of protons
 This number is called the proton or atomic number and
can be found in the Periodic Table
Charge

Sub-atomic particle Relative charge

proton +1

neutron 0

electron -1

 Atoms carry no charge (they are neutral) because….

…. the number of protons = number of electrons


Mass

Sub-atomic particle Relative mass

proton 1

neutron 1

electron 1/1800

• number of protons + number of neutrons gives us a


measure of the mass of an atom
• We call this the mass number
Atomic and mass numbers

Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons

Mass number 23

Atomic number 11
Na
Number of protons = 11

Number of electrons = 11

Number of neutrons = 23 - 11 = 12
Isotopes

• Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have:


• same number of protons and electrons
• different numbers of neutrons

H H H
Protons/electrons 1 1 1
Neutrons 0 1 2

• Because isotopes have the same number of electrons


in their outer shells, they react in identical ways
Why do atoms react?

• To gain a full outer shell of electrons

• How can atoms achieve this?

• One way is to lose or gain electrons to form


charged particles called ions
Consider aluminium …

Al Al3+
3+

Protons: +13 +13


Electrons: -13 -10
Charge: 0 +3
Consider sulfur …

S S2-
2-

Protons: +16 +16


Electrons: -16 -18
Charge: 0 -2
Ions and the Periodic Table

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8/0
H He
(0)+

Li Be B C N O F Ne
(2)+ (2)2+ (2)3+ (2,8)3- (2,8)2- (2,8)-

Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
(2,8)+ (2,8)2+ (2,8)3+ (2,8,8)3- (2,8,8)2- (2,8,8)-

K Ca Transition
metals
Metals and H form positive ions
(2,8,8)+ (2,8,8)2+
Non-metals form negative ions

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