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Chapter 2: Problem 25

The number of protons in an atom determines the identity of the atom. What does the number and arrangement of the electrons in an atom determine? What does the number of neutrons in an atom determine?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The number and arrangement of electrons in an atom determine its chemical properties and reactivity with other elements, as well as its ability to form bonds through electron configurations. The number of neutrons in an atom affects its mass and gives rise to isotopes, which may have different physical properties and behavior in nuclear reactions. Overall, electrons influence an atom's chemical properties, while neutrons impact mass and isotopes.

Step by step solution

01

The Number and Arrangement of Electrons

The number of electrons in an atom determines the element's chemical properties and how it will interact with other atoms in chemical reactions. The arrangement of electrons in an atom, specifically their distribution into different energy levels (or shells), affects the element's reactivity and its ability to form bonds with other atoms. This distribution follows rules based on quantum mechanics and is represented through electron configurations.
02

The Number of Neutrons

The number of neutrons in an atom contributes to the mass of the atom. Neutrons, along with protons, are located in the nucleus and are collectively called nucleons. Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes of the same element. Isotopes have the same chemical properties but may have different physical properties, such as mass, and can exhibit different behavior under specific conditions, like in a nuclear reaction.
03

Implications for the Atom's Properties

The number and arrangement of electrons dictate the atom's chemical properties and reactivity with other elements. The number of neutrons impacts the atom's mass and can create isotopes, which may exhibit different physical properties and behavior in nuclear reactions. In summary, the number and arrangement of electrons influence the chemical properties of an atom, whereas the number of neutrons affects its mass and plays a role in the existence and behavior of isotopes.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Name the compounds in parts a–d and write the formulas for the compounds in parts e–h. a. \(\operatorname{NaBr}\) b. \(\mathrm{Rb}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) c. \(\mathrm{CaS}\) d. d. \(\mathrm{AlI}_{3}\) e. strontium fluoride f. aluminum selenide g. potassium nitride h. magnesium phosphide

Name each of the following compounds: a. Cul b. \(\mathrm{CuI}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{Col}_{2}\) d. \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) e. \(\mathrm{NaHCO}_{3}\) f. \(\mathrm{S}_{4} \mathrm{N}_{4}\) g. \(\operatorname{SeCl}_{4}\) h. \(\mathrm{NaOCl}\) i. \(\mathrm{BaCrO}_{4}\) j. \(\mathrm{NH}_{4} \mathrm{NO}_{3}\)

Write the formula for each of the following compounds: a. zinc chloride b. tin(IV) fluoride c. calcium nitride d. aluminum sulfide e. mercury(I) selenide f. silver iodide

For each of the following ions, indicate the total number of protons and electrons in the ion. For the positive ions in the list, predict the formula of the simplest compound formed between each positive ion and the oxide ion. Name the compounds. For the negative ions in the list, predict the formula of the simplest compound formed between each negative ion and the aluminum ion. Name the compounds. a. \(\mathrm{Fe}^{2+}\) b. \(\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}\) c. \(\mathrm{Ba}^{2+}\) d. \(\mathrm{Cs}^{+}\) e. \(\mathrm{S}^{2-}\) f. \(\mathrm{P}^{3-}\) g. \(\mathrm{Br}^{-}\) h. \(\mathrm{N}^{3-}\)

In the periodic table, how many elements are found in each of the following? a. the halogen family b. the alkali family c. the lanthanide series
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