Give the number of protons, neutrons, electrons and nucleons for oxygen, sodium, aluminium and copper.
Nucleons
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Oxygen
Sodium
Aluminium
Copper
Whakatika Tahi
Nucleons
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Oxygen
16
8
8
8
Sodium
23
11
12
11
Aluminium
27
13
14
13
Copper
64
29
35
29
Atomic and Mass Numbers
Atomic number = the number of protons
Mass number = the number of nucleons (protons AND neutrons)
The number of protons in an atom (i.e. the atomic number) defines which type of atom it is. (e.g. an atom that has 6 protons MUST be a carbon atom, and cannot be any other)
Now add the atomic and mass numbers to oxygen, sodium, aluminium and copper.
Nucleons
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
Oxygen
16
8
8
8
Sodium
23
11
12
11
Aluminium
27
13
14
13
Copper
64
29
35
29
Atoms vs Ions
Every atom is neutral (has no net charge).
They have the same number of protons (+ve) and electrons (-ve).
The positive charge of protons and the negative charge of electrons cancel each other out.
However, an atom may lose (or gain) one or more electrons, in which case they become ‘ions’ – having a positive (or negative) charge. Losing or gaining electron(s) is called ionisation.