FIGURE 1.

A representation of an element using atomic symbol, mass number and charge

Example: for 6C atomic number= 6 for 17 Cl- atomic number= 17

Mass number= 12 mass number= 37

Number of protons= 6 number of protons=17
Number of neutrons= 12-6=6 (n= A-Z) number of neutrons=37-17= 20
Number of electrons= 6 number of electrons= 18
Charge= 0 (q= p-e) charge= 1-
Important
Notes:

* in a neutral atom, the number of protons or the atomic number Z, is always equal to the number of electrons, but is not necessarily equal to the number of neutrons.

*when a neutral atom gains electron, it will carry a negative charge and becomes an anion
e g. Cl becomes Cl - after gaining 1 electron. In this case, number of electrons becomes 18 (1 more than the number of protons which is 17)
O becomes O 2- after gaining 2 electrons. In this case, number of electrons becomes 10 (2 more than the number of protons which is 8)

*When a neutral atom loses an electron, it will carry a positive charge and becomes a cation
e. g. Ca becomes Ca 2+ after losing 2 electrons. In this case, number of electrons becomes 18 (2 less than the number of protons which is 20)
* the number of protons is always equal to the atomic number which is reflected in the periodic table. It is never changed. Only the electrons!!!
1. supply the missing data in the table below. Answer the questions below. Write your answers on a manila paper. Choose a reporter to present your group’s answers.
Questions:
1. How are cations formed? CATIONS ARE FORMED BY (LOSING, GAINING) ELECTRONS.
2. How are anions formed? ANIONS ARE FORMED BY (LOSING, GAINING) ELECTRONS.
3. What does the atomic number tell us. THE ATOMIC NUMBER TELLS US THE NUMBER OF (PROTONS, ELECTRONS ) PRESENT IN AN ATOM.
4. What does the mass number tell us? THE MASS NUMBER TELLS US THE NUMBER OF _____________ AND ________ IN AN ATOM.
5. How are ions formed? IONS ARE FORMED BY GAINING OR LOSING (PROTONS, ELECTRONS).

ATOMIC SYMBOL
JAMES CHADWICK
CATION ION
BOHR AND
RUTHERFORD
ELECTRON
ATOMIC NUMBER
MASS NUMBER
ISOTOPES
HENRY GWYN
JEFFREY MOSELEY