How Atoms Differ

Atoms are identified by the number of protons in

their nucleus. (Their atomic number.)
The periodic table organizes the elements by
increasing atomic number.
In a neutral atom, the number of protons and
electrons must be equal.
Atoms of a particular element may have different
numbers of neutrons. Atoms of the same element
with different numbers of neutrons are called
isotopes.
Isotopes of an element all behave the same way
chemically. Only the number of electrons an
atom has determines how it behaves chemically.
Isotopes are identified by their mass number
the total number of protons and neutrons in the
nucleus of the isotope.
To determine the neutrons in an isotope, subtract
its atomic number from its mass number.
The mass of an atom is measured in units called
atomic mass units. One amu = one-twelfth the
mass of a carbon-12 isotope. That makes the
mass of a neutron or a proton around 1 amu.

 The atomic mass of an element is actually the

weighted average mass of the isotopes for that
element.
Unstable Nuclei and Radioactive Decay
Unlike chemical reactions, which involve the
electrons surrounding an atoms nucleus, nuclear
reactions involve changes in an atoms nucleus.
Atoms that are unstable and contain too many or
too few neutrons will spontaneously emit rays
and particles called radiation. This process is
referred to as radioactive decay.
There are 3 types of nuclear radiation:
Type of
Definition
Radiation
Alpha
Particles
containing 2
protons and 2
neutrons
Beta
Fast-moving
electrons
Gamma High-energy
radiation
containing no
mass

Charge Symbol
+2

-1
neutral

 A radioactive substances half-life is the time it

takes for half of a sample of the substance to
radioactively decay. Half-lives can vary from
fractions of a second to thousands of years.
Nuclear reactions can also be produced
artificially by striking nuclei with high-velocity
particles. This is referred to as induced
transmutation.
All elements immediately following uranium in
the periodic table are known as the transuranium
elements and have all been produced in the
laboratory by induced transmutation. These are
all radioactive.