Starter quiz
On the periodic table, what does the number 9 represent for the element fluorine?- atomic mass
- atomic number ✓
- group number
- period number
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- Match the element to its correct atomic number.
- oxygen⇔8 ✓
- carbon⇔6 ✓
- neon⇔10 ✓
- sulfur⇔16 ✓
- calcium⇔20 ✓
- magnesium⇔12 ✓
- Which of the following elements are in Group 3?
- aluminium ✓
- boron ✓
- sodium
- yttrium
- scandium
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- The element with the atomic number 26 is known for its use in construction due to its strength and low density. What is this element?
- 'iron' ✓
- Give the name, or symbol, of an element in the first period on the periodic table.
- 'hydrogen' ✓
- The position of an element in the periodic table is linked to its arrangement of electrons and to its atomic number.
- True ✓
- False
Exit quiz
- What does the atomic number of an element indicate?
- the number of neutrons
- the number of protons ✓
- the total number of protons and neutrons
- the number of electrons in a neutral atom ✓
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- True or false? The atomic number is equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
- True ✓
- False
- What is the relative atomic mass?
- the mass of protons
- the mass of neutrons
- the total mass of an atom
- the mean mass of an atom relative to 1/12th of the mass of a carbon-12 atom ✓
- the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom
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- If an atom has an atomic number of 6, how many electrons does it have?
- '6' ✓
- How does the mass number differ from the atomic number?
- mass number includes electrons
- mass number is only about protons
- mass number includes protons and neutrons ✓
- there is no difference
-
- An element has a mass number of 23 and an atomic number of 11. How many neutrons does it have?
- '12' ✓
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The atomic number of an element states the number of protons in the nucleus of every atom of that element.
- The number of electrons in an atom is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.
- The mass number of an element is about equal to the number of protons and neutrons in atoms of that element.
Common misconception
Pupils often mix up the atomic number and atomic mass number and get confused over which subatomic particles these represent.
It helps to describe the atomic number as the proton number to help the pupils remember. Also, the provided periodic tables often have a key to help and this should be highlight to pupils.
Keywords
Atomic number - The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.
Mass number - The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
Relative atomic mass - The mean mass of an atom relative to 1/12th of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
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