Chapter 2 Atomic Structure Worksheet

1. Knowing the number of protons in the atom of a neutral element enables you to determine the
number of what other subatomic particle?
Explain your answer, use a diagram to elaborate.

The number of protons allows you to also determine the number of electrons. In a neutral element, the
number of protons and electrons are equal in magnitude, but opposite in charge. They cancel eachother
out, making the element neutral.


2. Do the proton and the neutron have exactly the same mass? How do the masses of the proton
and the neutron compare to the mass of the electron? Which particles make the greatest
contribution to the mass of an atom? Which particles make the greatest contribution to the
chemical properties of an atom?

Protons and neutrons do have the same mass. The mass of the protons and neutrons is much greater than
the mass of an electron. The mass of an electron can be ignored when find the mass of an atom because
it is so small. Protons and neutrons make the full contribution to the mass number of an atom, and they
are concentrated in the nucleus. Electrons make the greatest contribution to the chemical properties of an
atom because they are the particle that is responsible for bonding.



3. What makes a carbon atom different from a nitrogen atom? How are they alike?

They have a different number of protons, and a different mass. They have a different number of
electrons. They are both nonmetals and have three orbitals surrounding the nucleus.





4. What is the difference between the atomic number and the mass number of an element? Can
atoms of two different elements have the same atomic number? Could they have the same mass
number? Why or why not?

Atomic number = number of protons, number of electrons
Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons
Two atoms CANNOT have the same atomic number. If they had the same atomic number they would be
the same element. Remember that the atomic number is what distinguishes an element. If you change the
atomic number, you are talking about a different element. They can however have the same mass
number. We see this happen when we talk about isotopes.







6. Write the atomic symbol
A
X for each of the isotopes described below.

Z

a. Z = 8, number of neutrons = 9

8
17
O


b. the isotope of chlorine in which A = 37

17
37
Cl


c. Z = 27 and A = 60

27
60
Co


d. number of protons = 26, number of neutrons = 31

26
57
Fe


e. isotope of I with a mass number of 131

53
131
I


f. Z = 3, number of neutrons = 4


3
7
Li

7. Complete the following table.

Isotope Name Isotope
Symbol
Atomic
Number
Mass
Number
Number of
Protons
Number of
Neutrons
Number of
Electrons

phosporus-32
32
P
15

15

32

15

17

15

Indium-115
115
In
49

49

115

49

66

49

Gold-197
197
Au
79

79

197


79

118

79

Arsenic-75
75
As
33

33

75

33

42


33