Radioactivity - Atoms

6 important questions on Radioactivity - Atoms

What do atoms consist of?

Protons, neutrons and electrons

What is a proton?

A proton has a very small positive charge. The protons in an atomic nucleus are held together by nuclear forces that are greater than the electrical forces between the protons.

What is a neutron?

Together, protons and neutrons form the nucleus of an atom. A neutron has no electric charge (it is neutral). The number of neutrons in an atomic nucleus must not be too large or small, otherwise the nucleus will be unstable and fly apart.
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When do we say that an element has different isotopes?

When the atoms of 1 element have different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei.

Why does the number of protons determine which element it is?

Because all the atoms of one element have the same number of protons in their nucleus.

What are mass numbers?

The numbers which are used to distinguish the isotopes from eachother

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