Test > physics topic 4 - atomic structure > Flashcards

physics topic 4 - atomic structure Flashcards

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1
Q

Define atom.

A

The smallest unit of an element, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

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2
Q

What are protons?

A

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

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3
Q

True or false: Neutrons have a negative charge.

A

FALSE

Neutrons are neutral particles with no charge.

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4
Q

Fill in the blank: Electrons are ______ charged particles.

A

negatively

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5
Q

What is the nucleus of an atom?

A

The central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

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6
Q

Define isotope.

A

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

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7
Q

What does atomic number represent?

A

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

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8
Q

True or false: The mass number is the sum of protons and electrons.

A

FALSE

The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons.

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: The electron cloud surrounds the ______.

A

nucleus

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10
Q

What is a cation?

A

A positively charged ion formed by losing electrons.

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11
Q

What is an anion?

A

A negatively charged ion formed by gaining electrons.

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12
Q

Define atomic mass.

A

The weighted average mass of an atom’s isotopes.

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13
Q

True or false: Atoms can be created or destroyed in chemical reactions.

A

FALSE

Atoms are rearranged, not created or destroyed.

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14
Q

What is the Bohr model?

A

A model depicting electrons in fixed orbits around the nucleus.

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15
Q

Fill in the blank: The quantum model describes electrons as ______.

A

wave functions

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16
Q

What are valence electrons?

A

Electrons in the outermost shell that determine chemical properties.

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17
Q

Define ionization energy.

A

The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.

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18
Q

True or false: Electronegativity measures an atom’s ability to attract electrons.

A

TRUE

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19
Q

What is the periodic table?

A

A tabular arrangement of elements based on atomic number and properties.

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20
Q

Fill in the blank: Elements in the same group have similar ______.

A

chemical properties

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21
Q

What is a noble gas?

A

An element in Group 18, known for its lack of reactivity.

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22
Q

Define radioactivity.

A

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

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23
Q

What are alpha particles?

A

Helium nuclei emitted during some types of radioactive decay.

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24
Q

True or false: Beta decay involves the emission of electrons.

A

TRUE

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25
What is **gamma radiation**?
High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus.
26
Fill in the blank: **Half-life** is the time taken for half of a ______ to decay.
radioactive substance
27
Define **fission**.
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy.
28
What is **fusion**?
The process of combining light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
29
True or false: **Nuclear reactions** can change one element into another.
TRUE
30
What is **mass defect**?
The difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of its parts.
31
Fill in the blank: The **strong nuclear force** holds the ______ together.
nucleus
32
Define **electron configuration**.
The distribution of electrons in an atom's electron shells.
33
What is the **Pauli exclusion principle**?
No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers.
34
True or false: **Hund's rule** states that electrons fill orbitals singly before pairing.
TRUE
35
What does the **octet rule** state?
Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full outer shell.
36
Fill in the blank: **Ionic bonds** form between ______ and nonmetals.
metals
37
Define **covalent bond**.
A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.
38
What is **electrolysis**?
A chemical process that uses electricity to break down compounds.
39
True or false: **Chemical reactions** can involve the rearrangement of atoms.
TRUE
40
What is **stoichiometry**?
The calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions.
41
Fill in the blank: **Moles** are a unit for measuring the amount of ______.
substance
42
Define **Avogadro's number**.
The number of particles in one mole, approximately 6.022 x 10^23.
43
What is a **chemical equation**?
A symbolic representation of a chemical reaction.
44
True or false: **Balancing equations** ensures the conservation of mass.
TRUE
45
What is **activation energy**?
The minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to occur.
46
Fill in the blank: **Catalysts** speed up reactions by lowering the ______.
activation energy
47
Define **endothermic reaction**.
A reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings.
48
What is an **exothermic reaction**?
A reaction that releases energy to its surroundings.
49
True or false: **Entropy** measures the disorder of a system.
TRUE
50
What is **thermodynamics**?
The study of energy transformations in physical and chemical processes.
51
Fill in the blank: **Chemical kinetics** studies the rate of ______.
chemical reactions
52
Define **equilibrium**.
A state where the rates of forward and reverse reactions are equal.
53
What is **Le Chatelier's principle**?
If a system at equilibrium is disturbed, it will shift to counteract the disturbance.
54
True or false: **Acids** donate protons in chemical reactions.
TRUE
55
What is a **base**?
A substance that accepts protons or donates hydroxide ions.
56
Fill in the blank: The **pH scale** measures the acidity or ______ of a solution.
basicity
57
Define **buffer solution**.
A solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.
58
What is **oxidation**?
The loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state.
59
True or false: **Reduction** is the gain of electrons.
TRUE
60
What is a **redox reaction**?
A reaction involving the transfer of electrons between two species.
61
Fill in the blank: **Electrochemistry** studies the relationship between electricity and ______.
chemical reactions
62
Define **oxidizing agent**.
A substance that gains electrons in a redox reaction.
63
What is a **reducing agent**?
A substance that loses electrons in a redox reaction.
64
True or false: **Corrosion** is a redox reaction involving metals.
TRUE
65
What is **radiocarbon dating**?
A method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by measuring carbon-14.
66
Fill in the blank: **Nuclear power** plants use ______ reactions to generate energy.
fission
67
Define **nuclear waste**.
Radioactive materials that remain after nuclear reactions.
68
What is **radiation therapy**?
A medical treatment using controlled doses of radiation to kill cancer cells.
69
True or false: **Radiation** can be harmful to living organisms.
TRUE
70
What is **background radiation**?
The natural radiation present in the environment from cosmic rays and radioactive materials.
71
Fill in the blank: **Radiation protection** involves minimizing exposure to ______.
radiation
72
Define **nuclear fusion**.
The process of combining light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.
73
What is **nuclear fission**?
The splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy.
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