Isotopes Concept Map

Isotopes Concept Map

1. Atomic Structure

   • Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom
   • Atomic mass is the number of protons and neutrons in an atom combined
   • In a neutral/stable atom, the number of electrons is always the same as the number of protons

2. Nuclear Notation

   • A = the atomic mass (#p+n)
   • Z = the atomic number (p)
   • X = chemical symbol for element
   • Therefore, #neutrons can be found by subracting the atomic number (Z) from the atomic mass (A)

3. Charges

   • In nuclear notation, if an element has 1+, 2+ etc., written in the right hand corner, that means they are a cation and have lost one or two electrons
   • Comparatively, if the element displays a 1-, 2- etc., in the upper right hand corner, that means they are an anion and have gained 1 or 2 electrons

4. What are isotopes?

   • Isotopes are forms of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
   • Same: #protons, #electrons, atomic #, and chemical properties
   • Different: #neutrons, mass #, physical properties such as mass and density

Images and files in the map