Unit 1: Tutorial Series Module 1: Fundamentals in Chemistry

Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table - I

1. Deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the following species:
1 235
a) 1H f) 92U
17 1
b) 8O g) 1H +
4
He 2+
c) 2 45 3+
h) 21 Sc
d)
132
54 Xe

37
27 3+
i) 17 Cl
e) 13 Al

14
j) 6 C
k)
2. Use the periodic table to write symbols for the following species:
a) 19 protons, 20 neutrons, 18 electrons
b) 8 protons, 8 neutrons, 10 electrons
c) 1 proton, 2 neutrons, 1 electron
d) 82 protons, 126 neutrons, 80 electrons
e) 53 protons, 74 neutrons, 54 electrons
f)
3. Deduce the relative atomic masses of the following elements. (Assume in all cases the
relative isotopic mass is equal to the mass number)
a) Silicon (28Si 92.21%, 29Si 4.70%, 30Si 3.09%)
b) Silver (107Ag 51.88%, 109Ag 48.12%)
c) Boron (10B 19.3%, 11B 80.7%)
d) Gallium (69Ga 60.2%, 71Ga 39.8%)
g)
4. Bromine has two isotopes, with mass numbers 79 and 81. Its relative atomic mass is often
given as 80. What does that tell you about the relative abundance of the two isotopes?
h)
5. Most argon atoms have a mass number 40. How many neutrons does this isotope have?
The relative isotopic mass of this isotope is 39.961, but the relative atomic mass of argon is
39.948. What can you deduce about the other isotopes of argon?
i)
6. For each of the following stages in a mass spectrometer, state which part of the spectrometer
is responsible for it and how it works:
a) ionization c) deflection
b) acceleration d) detection

Montego Bay Community College, Science 1

7. Deduce the relative atomic mass of zirconium given the information below. (Assume that the
relative isotopic mass is equal to the mass number)
e)

f)
g)
8. a) Define the following terms:
i) radioactivity
ii) alpha particle
iii) beta particle
iv) gamma rays
h)
b) Radioactive decay may occur via alpha decay, beta decay or gamma radiation. Use
equations to show the following:
i) Alpha decay of Uranium 238
ii) Beta decay of Uranium 238
i)
c) Figure 1 below represents a plot of the number of neutrons vs the atomic number for a
given atom. Stable nuclei fall within the band of stability for which the n/p ratio ranges
from 1 (for lighter nuclei) to 1.5 (for heavier nuclei). Radioactive decay leads to the
formation of a more stable nucleus.
43
j) Suggest the type of decay that would occur for 19 K based on its position in the figure
above. Explain your reasoning.
k)
 l)
m) Figure 1
n)
o)

9. Use a diagram to show and explain the behavior of alpha particles, beta particles and gamma
particles in an electric field.
p)
10. a) State four uses of radioisotopes
q) b) State four methods used to dispose of nuclear waste.
r)
s)