Question 1

Which subatomic particle determines the identity of an element?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 2

What is the charge of a neutron?

Accepted Answer

Neutral

Question 3

If a carbon atom has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons, what is its mass number?

Accepted Answer

$$12$$

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes an isotope?

Accepted Answer

Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Question 5

A neutral atom of fluorine has 9 protons and 10 neutrons. How many electrons does it have?

Accepted Answer

$$9$$

Question 6

Which subatomic particle is found outside the nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Question 7

What is the atomic number of an atom with 17 protons, 18 neutrons, and 17 electrons?

Accepted Answer

$$17$$

Question 8

Which of the following best explains why isotopes of the same element have different mass numbers?

Accepted Answer

They have different numbers of neutrons

Question 9

A magnesium atom has 12 protons, 12 neutrons, and 12 electrons. What is its mass number?

Accepted Answer

$$24$$

Question 10

Which of the following is true for all neutral atoms?

Accepted Answer

The number of protons equals the number of electrons

Question 11

If an atom has 15 protons, 16 neutrons, and 15 electrons, what is its atomic symbol using standard notation?

Accepted Answer

$$^{31}_{15}\mathrm{P}$$

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the location of electrons in an atom?

Accepted Answer

Electrons are found in regions of space outside the nucleus

Question 13

A neutral atom of sodium has 11 protons and 12 neutrons. What is its mass number?

Accepted Answer

$$23$$

Question 14

Which of the following is a correct statement about the relationship between protons and neutrons in isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why the atomic number is always a whole number?

Accepted Answer

It represents the number of protons, which cannot be fractional

Question 16

A neutral atom of chlorine has 17 protons and 18 neutrons. What is its atomic mass?

Accepted Answer

$$35$$

Question 17

Which of the following is the best definition of the mass number?

Accepted Answer

The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

Question 18

If an atom has 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 10 electrons, what is its charge?

Accepted Answer

$$2-$$

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why atoms are electrically neutral?

Accepted Answer

They have equal numbers of protons and electrons

Question 20

A student is given a sample of an unknown element. The atom has 20 protons, 20 neutrons, and 20 electrons. What is the atomic number and mass number of this atom?

Accepted Answer

Atomic number: $$20$$, Mass number: $$40$$

How Atoms Differ: Atomic Structure and Subatomic Particles – Study Guidance

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards