Atomic Structure Practice Test Quiz

1. (a) Which of the following particles is the smallest?

Protons

Electrons

Neutrons

All of the above are the same size.

It takes 2000 electrons to add up to the mass of a single proton or neutron.

Explanation

It takes 2000 electrons to add up to the mass of a single proton or neutron.

2. (d) To which of the following families does Iodine belong?

Metalloids

Transition Metals

Noble Gases

Halogens

Column 17 (sometimes referred to as column VII A) is a special class of nonmetals known as halogens.

Explanation

Column 17 (sometimes referred to as column VII A) is a special class of nonmetals known as halogens.

3. (e) How many neutrons are in an atom of C-14?

6

12

8

14

Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have a different number of neutrons. Because the number of neutrons changes from isotope to isotope, the mass of the isotope must be provided. In the case of C-14, the atomic mass of the isotope is 14, indicating that there are 14 particles in the nucleus. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so there are 6 protons in the nucleus. 14-6=8 neutrons

Explanation

Isotopes are different forms of the same element that have a different number of neutrons. Because the number of neutrons changes from isotope to isotope, the mass of the isotope must be provided. In the case of C-14, the atomic mass of the isotope is 14, indicating that there are 14 particles in the nucleus. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so there are 6 protons in the nucleus. 14-6=8 neutrons

4. (c) Which of the following elements has chemical and physical properties that are most similar to Magnesium?

Calcium

Sodium

Aluminum

Both Sodium and Aluminum

The periodic table is organized so that the elements in the same column (family) have similar properties. Because Calcium and Magnesium are both in column 2, they are both alkaline earth metals and therefore have similar properties.

Explanation

The periodic table is organized so that the elements in the same column (family) have similar properties. Because Calcium and Magnesium are both in column 2, they are both alkaline earth metals and therefore have similar properties.

5. (b) How many protons, electrons, and neutrons are in an average, neutrally-charged atom of Hydrogen?

1 proton, 1 electron, 1 neutron

1 proton, 0 electrons, 1 neutron

1 proton, 1 electron, 0 neutrons

1 proton, 2 electrons, 1 neutron

Hydrogen's atomic number is 1, so it has 1 proton. If the atom is neutrally charged, the number of protons will equal the number of electrons, so there is also 1 electron.

The average atomic mass of Hydrogen is 1 amu, so there is only 1 particle in its nucleus (on average). Because we already know that it has 1 proton, there must be 0 neutrons.

Explanation

Hydrogen's atomic number is 1, so it has 1 proton. If the atom is neutrally charged, the number of protons will equal the number of electrons, so there is also 1 electron.

The average atomic mass of Hydrogen is 1 amu, so there is only 1 particle in its nucleus (on average). Because we already know that it has 1 proton, there must be 0 neutrons.

6. (f) Oxygen's average atomic mass on the periodic table is 15.999 amu. This means that the most abundant isotope of Oxygen is most likely...

O-14

O-15

O-16

O-8

The average atomic mass of elements on the periodic table are a weighted average - that is, they are the average of all the different isotopes of an element adjusted for how abundant each isotope is. If most of the Oxygen atoms in the universe have a mass of 16 (that is, has 8 neutrons), then the average atomic mass will be very close to 16.

Explanation

The average atomic mass of elements on the periodic table are a weighted average - that is, they are the average of all the different isotopes of an element adjusted for how abundant each isotope is. If most of the Oxygen atoms in the universe have a mass of 16 (that is, has 8 neutrons), then the average atomic mass will be very close to 16.