Question: Identify the 3 parts of an atom and where they belong.

Answer: The central nucleus is made up of both the protons and neutrons. The electrons orbit around the outside. Since atoms are mostly empty space, the electrons orbit at a great distance.

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Question: Which two parts give an atom its mass?

Answer: Both the protons and neutrons have mass. Each has a mass of one atomic mass unit (AMU).

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Question: Which two parts give an atom its charge?

Answer: An atom’s charge comes from the protons which are positive and it’s electrons which are negative.

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Question: What must be equal to create a neutral atom?

Answer: The protons and electrons must be equal for the atom to be neutral.

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Question: What must be done to create an ion?

Answer: An ion is created when the protons and electrons are not equal. More protons than electrons will make a positive ion. More electrons than protons will make a negative ion.

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Question: How is atomic charge calculated?

Answer: Each pairing of a proton with an electron results in zero charge. Unequal numbers of protons or electrons will result in a charge. Example: If an atom has one extra proton than electron, it will have a +1 charge. If it has two extra electrons than protons, it will have a -1 charge.

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Question: How is mass calculated?

Answer: Mass is all the protons (each has a mass of 1AMU) added together with all the neutrons (each also has a mass of 1AMU). Example: 3 protons and 4 neutrons give a mass of 7AMU.

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Question: Which particle determines the name of the element?

Answer: The proton determines which element it is and therefore its name.

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Question: What makes an element unstable?

Answer: An element is unstable when there are either too few or too many neutrons to balance the protons.

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