1.

Atoms are the foundation of chemistry. They are the basis for everything in the Universe. As you know, matter is composed of atoms. Solids are
made of densely packed atoms while gases have atoms that are spread out. We're going to cover basics like atomic structure and bonding between
atoms. As you learn more, you can move to the reactions and biochemistry pages and see how atoms form compounds that help the biological world
survive.

Are there pieces of matter that are smaller than atoms? Sure there are. Super-small particles can be found inside the pieces of atoms. These subatomic
particles include nucleons and quarks. Nuclear chemists and physicists work together at particle accelerators to discover the presence of these tiny,
tiny, tiny pieces of matter. However, science is based on the atom because it is the smallest distinct unit of matter.

2. Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number. All isotopes of a given element have the same number of
protons in each atom. The term isotope is formed from the Greek roots isos (ἴσος "equal") and topos (τόπος "place"), meaning "the same place"; thus,
the meaning behind the name is that different isotopes of a single element occupy the same position on the periodic table.

The number of protons within the atom's nucleus is called atomic number and is equal to the number of electrons in the neutral (non-ionized) atom.
Each atomic number identifies a specific element, but not the isotope; an atom of a given element may have a wide range in its number of neutrons.
The number of nucleons (both protons and neutrons) in the nucleus is the atom's mass number, and each isotope of a given element has a different
mass number.

For example, carbon-12, carbon-13 and carbon-14 are three isotopes of the element carbon with mass numbers 12, 13 and 14 respectively. The
atomic number of carbon is 6, which means that every carbon atom has 6 protons, so that the neutron numbers of these isotopes are 6, 7 and 8
respectively.

3. In the physical sciences, an ion (/ˈaɪən, -ɒn/)[1] is a particle having a non-zero net electrical charge, such as an atom or molecule whose total
number of electrons is not equal to its total number of protons. A cation is a positively-charged ion, while an anion is negatively charged. Because of
their opposite electric charges, cations and anions attract each other and readily form ionic compounds, such as salts.

Ions can be created by chemical means, such as the dissolution of a salt into water, or by physical means, such as passing a direct current through a
conducting solution, which will dissolve the anode via ionization .

Ions consisting of only a single atom are atomic or monatomic ions. If they consist of two or more atoms, then they are called molecular ions or
polyatomic ions.

In the case of physical ionization of a medium, such as a gas, what are known as "ion pairs" are created by ion impact, and each pair consists of a free
electron and a positive ion.[2]

4. Nuclear reactions involve a change in an atom's nucleus, usually producing a different element. Chemical reactions, on the other hand, involve
only a rearrangement of electrons and do not involve changes in the nuclei.

Different isotopes of an element normally behave similarly in chemical reactions. The nuclear chemistry of different isotopes vary greatly from each
other.

Rates of chemical reactions are influenced by temperature and catalysts. Rates of nuclear reactions are unaffected by such factors.

Nuclear reactions are independent of the chemical form of the element.

Energy changes accompanying nuclear reactions are much larger. This energy comes from destruction of mass.

5. Both fission and fusion are nuclear reactions that produce energy, but the applications are not the same. Fission is the splitting of a heavy, unstable
nucleus into two lighter nuclei, and fusion is the process where two light nuclei combine together releasing vast amounts of energy. Fission is used in
nuclear power reactors since it can be controlled, while fusion is not utilized to produce power since the reaction is not easily controlled and is
expensive to create the needed conditions for a fusion reaction. Research continues into ways to better harness the power of fusion, but research is in
experimental stages. While different, the two processes have an important role in the past, present and future of energy creation.