1. Explain the difference between atoms and elements.

An atom is the part of an element. A particular element is composed of only one type of
atom. Atoms are further composed of subatomic particles called electrons, protons and
neutrons. Elements can combine with each other to form molecules via chemical reaction.

2. What are atoms made of?

Atoms are the smallest unit of matter, and are made of three major sub-particles
namely, electrons which are negatively charged, protons, positively charged and neutrons which
are neutrally charged. Protons and neutrons compose the atom’s nucleus and most of the mass
of the atom.

3. Based on Rutherford’s gold foil experiment, explain why it is concluded that an atom has a
positively charged nucleus.
They bombarded very thin sheets of gold foil with fast moving alpha particles.
Rutherford found that a small percentage of alpha particles were deflected at large angles,
which could be explained by an atom with a very small, dense, positively-charged nucleus at its
center.

4. Explain the relationship between the valency and reactivity of an element.

Valence electrons, the electrons in the outermost or valence shell, are important as they
provide insight into an element's chemical properties and are the ones gained, lost, or shared
during a chemical reaction. In general, atoms are most stable and least reactive when their
outermost electron shell is full.

5. Distinguish between electronegativity and electron affinity.

Electronegativity refers to the ability of the atoms to attract electrons from the other
elements. Electron affinity refers to the amount of energy that is liberated whenever a molecule
or a neutral atom tends to acquire an electron from the other elements.

6. Explain the relationship between ionization energy and atomic radius. Cite examples to
support your answer.
Ionization energy is a function of atomic radius; the larger the radius, the smaller the
amount of energy required to remove the electron from the outer most orbital. Helium which
has the lowest atomic radius will have the most ionization energy.

7. Explain what happens to an electron as it moves to and from the nucleus.

Electrons move along energy levels within the atom. The closer an energy level into the
nucleus the lower it is, and electrons tend to absorb energy as they move from lower to high
energy levels, while it emits energy as they move from higher to lower energy levels.

8. Distinguish between Thomson’s and Rutherford’s structure of atom.

 The key difference between Thomson and Rutherford model of atom is that Thomson
model of atom does not contain any details about nucleus whereas Rutherford model of atom
explains about the nucleus of an atom.

9. Differentiate metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Cite examples to support your answer.
Metals are found in the left side of the periodic table and has characteristics of being
ductile and malleable and also are good conductors of electricity (e.i. Sodium, Lithium, Iron,
Magnesium), while non-metals are found in the right side of the periodic table and mostly
composed of gases and has characteristics opposite to the metals (e.i. Hydrogen, hekium,
Oxygen, Fluorine, Chlorine), metalloids on the other hands are found in a staircase between
metals and nonmetals, these elements possess characteristics found in both metals and non-
metals (e.i. Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Tellurium)

10. Why do elements acquire a net positive or negative electric charge?

Atoms that lose electrons acquire a positive charge as a result because they are left with
fewer negatively charged electrons to balance the positive charges of the protons in the nucleus.
While atoms that gain electrons becomes negatively charged. Positively charged ions are called
cations while negatively charged ions are called anions.

11. Explain the difference between a molecular and empirical formula.

An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of various atoms
present in a compound. The molecular formula shows the exact number of different types of
atoms present in a molecule of a compound.

12. How do ionic compounds form? Explain your answer.

Ionic compounds are formed through electron transfer among atoms. Ionic compound is
usually a result of bonding between metal and nonmetal.

13. How do covalent compounds form? Explain your answer.

Covalent compounds are formed through electron sharing of atoms. Covalent compound
is usually a result of bonding between nonmetals.

14. Based on their valence electrons, explain why Alkali Metals and Halogens are the most
reactive elements in the periodic table?
Alkali Metals have only one valence electron which make it more reactive than other
metals, while Halogens have 7 valence electrons, ang having a charge of negative one (-1), they
are the most reactive nonmetals.

15. Why do noble gases remain nonreactive?

Noble gases remain to be nonreactive due to their valence electrons. Noble gases have
already complete valence of eight electrons, thus making the atom stable.