3.1, 3.

2 Atoms and Elements

Atoms are the smallest particles of matter that cannot be broken down by
further means. Each atom consists of a nucleus (protons and neutrons),
which is surrounded by shells or layers of electrons.
An element contains only one type of atom.
There are 2 properties of protons, neutrons and electrons:

Mass
Electrical charge
Particle

Proton
Neutron
Electron

Mass
1
1
Almost 0

Charge
+1
0
-1

The atoms contain an equal number of protons and electrons

so they have no overall charge. The charge of an atom is
always neutral.
The number of protons is known as the atomic number.
The total number of protons and neutrons is known as the
nucleon number or the mass number.
Number of neutrons = Nucleon number Atomic numbers

3.3 Isotopes and radioactivity

You can identify and atom by the number of protons in it.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element, with different number of neutrons. Some elements
with isotopes are calcium, magnesium, iron and chlorine.
Some isotopes are radioactive because their nucleus is unstable. And then the atom breaks
down, giving out radiation.
Radiation from the isotopes can harm you, causing radiation sickness (victims vomit a lot, hair
falls out and gums bleed).

Uses of radioisotopes:

1. To check for leaks as tracers: Engineers can check oil and gas pipes for leaks by adding
radioisotopes to the oil or gas. If a Geiger counter detects radiation outside the pipe, it
means there is a leak.
2. To treat cancer (cobalt-60): they are used in radiotherapy to cure cancer, because the
gamma rays kill cancer cells more readily than healthy cells.
3. To kill germs and bacteria (cobalt-60 and cesium-137): they are used to sterilize syringes
and other medical equipment. They are also used to kill bacteria that cause food to
decay.
4. Carbon dating (carbon-14): to tell the age of ancient remains by measuring the
radioactivity from them.
5. Fuel: radioisotopes are used as fuel in nuclear power stations because they give out a
lot of energy when they break down.

3.4 How electrons are arranged

The first shell of an atom can only have 2 electrons. All the other shells can have no more than
8 shells.
The electronic configuration for one sodium atom will be: 2.8.1
We can deduce some information from the configuration:

It shows that the atom has one valency electron. This means
that it belongs to Group 1.
The atom has 3 shells. This shows that sodium belongs to
period 3.

Lithium: 2.1

Lithium belongs to group 1 (one valency electron).

It belongs to period 2 (two shells).

Group 0 elements have a very stable

arrangement. All atoms except helium,
have 8 outer shell electrons. Helium
has only two electrons and one shell.

3.5 The metals and

non-metals

Properties of metals
Good conductors of heat and electricity
High melting and boiling points: they are solid at
room temperature.
Hard, strong, do not shatter when hit
Malleable (can be hammered into different
shapes), and ductile (can be made into wires)
Look shiny when polished - lustrous
Makes a ringing noise when hit - sonorous
Have high density feel heavy
Form positive ions when they react- they give an
electron
React with oxygen to form oxides that are basic

Properties of non-metals
Do not conduct heat or electricity
Lower melting and boiling points- many are gases
at room temp.
They are brittle- they break up easily
Not malleable or ductile
Look dull in the solid state
Do not make a ringing noise- they just break
Have low density
Often form negative ions- they take an electron
React with oxygen to form oxides that are acidic

Exception to those properties:

Not all metals are hard solids; sodium and potassium can be cut with a knife, and
mercury is liquid at room temperature.
Hydrogen is a non-metal but forms positive ions like metals.
Carbon is a non- metal:
Graphite: is a good conductor
Diamond: is very hard and has a very high melting point