Subatomic Particles - AnswersThe neutrons, protons, and electrons in an atom.
Cathode Rays - AnswersStreams of electrons emitted by the cathode in a partially evacuated tube.
Electron - AnswersA subatomic particle that has a relative charge of 1- and essentially zero mass. The
first subatomic particle to be discovered and was discovered by J.J. Thomson.
Ion - AnswersAn atom or molecule that has a positive or negative charge.
Cation - AnswersA positively charged ion.
Anion - AnswersA negatively charged ion.
Radioactivity - AnswersThe spontaneous emission of high-energy radiation and particles by materials.
Beta (B) Particle - AnswersA radioactive emission that is a high-energy electron.
Alpha (a) Particle - AnswersA radioactive emission with a charge of 2+ and a mass equivalent to that of a
helium nucleus.
Nucleus (of an atom) - AnswersThe positively charged center of an atom that contains nearly all the
atom's mass.
Proton - AnswersA subatomic particle, present in the nucleus of an atom, that has a relative charge of 1+
and a mass number of 1.
Neutron - AnswersAn electrically neutral (uncharged) subatomic particle with a mass number of 1.
Atomic Mass Unit (amu) - AnswersUnit used to express the relative masses of atoms and subatomic
particles that is exactly 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon with 6 protons and 6 neutrons in its
nucleus.
Dalton (Da) - AnswersA unit of mass equal to 1 atomic mass unit.
Isotopes - AnswersAtoms of an element containing the same number of protons but different numbers
of neutrons. Atoms with identical atomic numbers but different mass numbers.
Nuclide - AnswersA specific isotope of an element.
Atomic Number (Z) - AnswersThe number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
Nucleon - AnswersA proton or neutron in a nucleus.
Mass Number (A) - AnswersThe number of nucleons in an atom (protons and neutrons).
Periodic Table of the Elements - AnswersA chart of the elements in order of their atomic numbers and in
a pattern based on their physical and chemical properties.
, Period (of elements) - AnswersAll the elements in a row of the periodic table.
Group or Family (of elements) - AnswersAll the elements in a column of the periodic table.
Radionuclide - AnswersA radioactive (unstable) nuclide.
Halogen - AnswersAn element in group 17 of the periodic table.
Alkali Metal - AnswersAn element in group 1 of the periodic table.
Alkaline Earth Metal - AnswersAn element in group 2 of the periodic table.
Metals - AnswersElements that are typically shiny, malleable, ductile solids that conduct heat and
electricity well and tend to form positive ions.
Nonmetals - AnswersElements with properties opposite those of metals, including poor conductivity of
heat and electricity.
Metalloids or Semimetals - AnswersElements that tend to have the physical properties of metals and
chemical properties of nonmetals.
Main Group Elements or Representative Elements - AnswersThe elements in groups 1,2,and 13 through
18 of the periodic table.
Transition Metals - AnswersThe elements in groups 3-12 of the periodic tables.
Noble Gases - AnswersThe elements in group 18 of the periodic table.
Average Atomic Mass - AnswersThe weighted average of masses of all isotopes of an element,
calculated by multiplying the natural abundance of each isotope by its mass in atomic mass units and
then summing the products.
Natural Abundance - AnswersThe proportion of a particular isotope, usually expressed as a percentage,
relative to all isotopes of that element in a natural sample.
Molecular Mass - AnswersThe mass in amu of one molecule of a molecular compound.
Formula Unit - AnswersThe smallest electrically neutral unit of an ionic compound.
Formula Mass - AnswersThe mass in amu of one formula unit of an ionic compound.
Mole (mol) - AnswersAn amount of a substance that contains Avogadro's number (Na=6.0221 x 10^23)
of particles (atoms, ions, molecules, or formula units).
Avogadro's Number (Na) - AnswersThe number of carbon atoms in exactly 12 grams of the carbon-12
isotope; Na=6.0221 x 10^23. It is the number of particles in one mole.
Molar Mass (M) - AnswersThe mass of 1 mole of a substance.