Name the particles that are found in the nucleus of an atom.

Protons and neutrons.

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What is the charge of a proton?

Postive 1, or +1.


You can remember it as p for proton and p for positive.

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What is the charge of a neutron?

Neutral, or 0.


You can remember it as 'a neutron is neutral'.

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What is the charge of an electron?

Negative 1, or -1.

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What is the relative mass of a proton?

1

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What is the relative mass of a neutron? 

1

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What is the overall charge of an atom? 

Neutral or '0'.


(if the charge isn't neutral, then it's an 'ion', not an atom)

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Why are atoms neutral overall?

Atoms have the same number of positive protons as negative electrons, so the charges cancel out.

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What does the atomic number of an atom tell you? 

The number of protons the atom has.


It will also tell you the number of electrons it has as long as it is a neutral atom ( be aware it does not tell you the number of electrons if it is an ion). 

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What does the mass number of an atom tell you? 

The total number of protons + neutrons the atom has.

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What are isotopes?

Isotopes are different forms of the same element, that have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons.


Or, you could say: they have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. 

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How are the electrons in an atom arranged?

The electrons are arranged into 'shells' or 'energy levels'.

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What can happen if electrons gain energy (for example by absorbing electromagnetic radiation)?

They can get 'excited' and increase their energy level.


If they gain enough energy they could leave the atom entirely, this would turn the atom into a +1 ion. 

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What is 'ionising radiation'?

Radiation that has enough energy to 'knock electrons off atoms' - or in other words, provide enough energy to cause electrons to leave an atom.

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