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Solutions: Atomic Structure

Q1. A neutral atom of carbon is represented by .

(a) Name the constituents of this atom and state how many of each are present.

It is an atom not just a nucleus... so many candidates missed out the electrons!

    protons and neutrons 6p , 8n tick

    (or u and d quarks , 20u and 22d)

    6 electrons

(3 marks)


(b) Which constituent of an atom has the largest charge-to-mass ratio?

electron

(1 mark)

(c) Carbon has several isotopes. Explain the term isotope.

Isotopes are nuclei that contain identical numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons They have identical chemical properties but different physical ones.

(2 marks)

(Total 6 marks)