Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

Chapter 4 Study Guide

Understand and be able to explain all of the key concepts.

Define and understand all of the survival words for chapters 4 & 25.
Memorize the names and symbols for elements 1 20.
Review all classwork and quizzes.
Please note that the Chapter 25 Study Guide immediately follows.

Key Concepts
4.1 Defining the Atom

Democritus believed that atoms were indivisible and indestructible.

By using experimental methods, Dalton transformed Democrituss ideas on atoms into a
scientific theory.
Scientists can observe individual atoms by using instruments such as scanning tunneling
microscopes.

4.2 Structure of the Nuclear Atom

Three types of subatomic particles are electrons, protons, and neutrons.

In the nuclear atom, the protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus. The electrons
are distributed around the nucleus and occupy almost all the volume of the atom.

4.3 Distinguishing Among Atoms

Elements are different because they have different number of protons.

The number of neutrons in an atom is the difference between the mass number and
atomic number.
Because isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons, they also have
different mass numbers.
To calculate the atomic mass of an element, multiply the mass of each isotope by its
natural percent abundance (expressed as a decimal), and then add the products.
The periodic table lets you easily compare the properties of one element (or a group of
elements) to another element (or group of elements).

Survival Words

Atom
Atomic mass
Atomic mass unit (amu)
Atomic number
Cathode ray

Daltons atomic theory

Electron
Group
Isotopes
Mass number

Neutron
Nucleus
Period
Periodic Table
Proton

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

Key Equations

Number of neutrons = mass number atomic number

Average atomic mass = (mass # x relative abundance) of each isotope

Review Questions
1. What is the mass and charge of each subatomic particle (electron, neutron, and proton)
Electron: 0 amu, Proton: 1 amu, Neutron: 1 amu
2. Why is an atom electrically neutral? The number of protons and electrons are equal.
3. What did Rutherfords demonstrate in his gold foil experiment? Atoms are made of mostly
empty space with a dense nucleus at the center.
4. What did JJ Thompson demonstrate in his cathode ray tube experiment? The existence of
particles smaller than atoms with a negative charge (electrons)
5. What does the atomic number of each atom represent? The number of protons in the nucleus.
6. How many protons are in the nuclei of the following atoms?
a. Phosphorus 15
b. Molybdenum 42
c. Aluminum 13
d. Cadmium 48
e. Chromium 24
f. Lead 82
7. What is the difference between the mass number and the atomic number of an atom?
8. Complete the following table referring to Figure 4.11 on page 118.
Atomic Number
Mass Number
Number of
Number of
Symbol of
Protons
Neutrons
Element
9

(a)19

(b)9

10

(c)F

(d)14

(e)29

14

15

(f)Si

(g)22

47

(h)22

25

(i)Ti

(j)25

55

25

(k)30

(l)Mn

9. Name two ways that isotopes of an element differ. Mass number, number of neutrons
10. How can there be more than 1000 different atoms when there are only about 100 different
elements? Elements can have isotopes, forming different atoms
11. What data must you know about the isotopes of an element to calculate the average atomic
mass of the element? Mass of each isotope, relative abundance of each isotope

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

12. How is an average mass different from a weighted average mass? A weighted average takes
into consideration the relative abundance. Not all contribute equally.
13. What is the average atomic mass of an element? The weighted average mass of all isotopes of
the element.
14. How are the elements arranged in the modern periodic table? Increasing atomic number
15. What is the average atomic mass given the following information:
Silicon
mass number percent abundance
28
92.23
29
4.67
30
3.10
28 (0.9223) + 29 (0.0467) + 30 (0.0310) = 28.1 amu
16. What is the atomic mass of Hafnium if out of every 200 atoms, 10 have a mass of 176 amu, 38
have a mass of 177 amu, 54 have a mass of 178 amu, 28 have a mass of 179 amu, and 70 have a
mass of 180 amu?
176 (10/200) + 177 (38/200) + 178 (54/200) + 179 (28/200) + 180 (70/200) = 178.55 amu
17. A famous team of scientists (Dr. Nadeau, Dr. Meacham and Dr. Esper) performed an experiment to
determine the average atomic mass of a newly discovered element named Catalpium, element symbol
Ct. After analyzing 15 atoms of Catalpium, the scientists determined that the new element has four
different isotopes, each of which are highly radioactive and very, very dangerous to all living things.
Data was taken on the four isotopes (see chart below). Using the information from the chart, answer
the questions below.
Mass of Isotope Samples of Ct
Isotope A

Isotope B Isotope C

Isotope
D

39 amu

38 amu

40 amu

41 amu

39 amu

38 amu

40 amu

41 amu

38 amu

40 amu

38 amu

40 amu

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

40 amu
40 amu

What is the percent abundance of each

isotope?

40 amu
A: 2/15 = 13.33% B 4/15 =26.67%
C: 7/15 = 46.67% D: 2/15 = 13.33%

Calculate the average atomic mass of Catalpium showing your work:

39 (0.1333) + 38 (0.2667) + 40 (0.4667) + 41 (0.1333) = 39.47 amu

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

Chapter 25 Study Guide

Key Concepts
25.1 Nuclear Radiation

An unstable nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation during the process of radioactive
decay.
The three main types of radiation are alpha radiation, beta radiation, and gamma radiation.

25.2 Nuclear Transformations

The type of radioactive decay that occurs depends on the neutron-to-proton ratio of the
unstable nucleus.
After each half-life, half of the existing atoms have decayed into atoms of a new element.
Transmutation can occur by radioactive decay, and can also occur when particles bombard
the nucleus of an atom.

Survival Words

Alpha Particle
Band of Stability
Beta Particle
Fission

Fusion
Gamma Rays
Half-life
Radiation

Radioactivity
Radioisotopes
Scintillation Counter
Transmutation

Review Questions
1. Rank alpha, beta, and gamma radiation in terms of penetrating energy. (highest to lowest)
Gamma, beta, alpha
2. Alpha radiation is emitted during the disintegration of the following isotopes. Write
balanced nuclear equations for their decay processes. Name the element produced in each
case.
4
234
238
a. Uranium -238 ( 238
92U )
92 U 2 He + 90Th
b. Thorium -230 ( 230
90Th )
235
92

c. Uranium -235 ( U )
d. Radon -222 (

222
86

Rn )

Th 24 He +

226
88

230
90

4
2

U He +

235
92

222
86

4
2

Ra

231
90

Rn He +

Th

218
84

Po

3. The following radioisotopes are beta emitters. Write balanced nuclear equations for their
decay processes.
a. Carbon -14 ( 146C ) N (Nitrogen) 7 lower left and 14 upper left + Beta particle
90
b. Strontium -90 ( 38
Sr ) Y (Yitrium) 39 lower left and 90 upper left + beta particle
40
c. Potassium -40 ( 19
K ) Ca (Calcium) 20 lower left and 40 upper left + beta particle

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

d. Nitrogen -13 ( 137N ) O (Oxygen) 8 lower left and 13 upper right + beta particle
4. Identify the more stable isotope in each pair. (Hint: neutrons/protons) *** = more stable
a. 146C , 136C ***
b. 13 H , 11H ***
c. *** 168O , 188O
d. *** 147 N ,

15
7

5. Write nuclear equation for these conversions.

30
30
a. 15
Si DO NOT DO!
P to 14
13
7

b.

13
6

c.

131
53

6.

Complete the first 2 columns of the following table and then place those points on your graph.
Write the element symbol next to each point.

C to

I to

N Beta Decay

131
54

Xe : Beta Decay

Unstable
Isotope
C-14

# of
Protons

# of
Neutrons

Decay
Mode

Beta

Si-32

14

18

Beta

Fe-52

26

26

None

Xe-135

54

81

None

Pb-214

82

132

Alpha

Ra-226

88

138

None

7. For each isotope in the table above,

identify a type of decay that would
allow it to move toward the band of
stability, and then write a nuclear decay
equation for each one.

Name:________________________________ Hr:________ Date:____________

8. The following graph shows the radioactive decay curve for thorium-234. Use the graph to
answer the questions.

a. What percent of the isotope remains after 60 days? 25-30%

b. How many grams of a 250-g sample of thorium-234 would remain after 40 days had
passed? There is roughly 38% left after 40 days. (.38 X 250 g) = 95 grams
c. How many days would pass while 44 g of thorium-234 decayed to 4.4 g of thorium-234?
4.4 g / 44 g = .1 or 10% Find 10% on the graph 120 days.
d. What is the half-life of thorium-234? 27 30 days. Find the 50% mark and find the
number of days.