2.1.2 Atomic Structure

Question 1

What is the current model of the atom?

Answer 1

• Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus, which is at the centre of the atom.
• Electrons orbit the nucleus in ‘shells’.
• The nucleus is tiny compared with the total volume of an atom.
• The nucleus is extremely dense and accounts for almost of the atom’s mass.
• Most of an atom consists of empty space between the tiny nucleus and the electron ‘shells’

Question 2

What is the relative mass of of electron?

Answer 2

1 / 1835

Question 3

What are isotopes?

Answer 3

Atoms of the same elements with different numbers of neutrons and different masses.

Question 4

Why do different isotopes of the same element react in the same way?

Answer 4

Chemical reactions involve electrons, and isotopes have the same number and arrangement of electrons. Neutrons make no difference to chemical reactivity.

Question 5

What are ions?

Answer 5

Charged particles.