THE ACHIEVERS, EXPLORERS, SCHOLARS (AES) PROGRAMME

Inside an Atom Grade 8

ACHIEVERS:

1. An element’s atomic number is equal to its number of --------

a) protons. c) valence electrons
b) neutrons. d) protons and neutrons.

2. What do they have in common in the isotopes of Hydrogen?

a) neutron b) proton c) mass number d) none of these

3. An element has mass number 31 and atomic number 15. The number of electrons, protons
and neutrons in it respectively are -----
a) 15,16,15 b) 16,15,15 c) 15,15,16 d) 31,15,15

4. Write the scientific term that matches the phrase describing it.
1. a nuclear particle with no charge.
2. a substance made up of only one type of atom.
3. the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
4. a negatively charged particle.
5. the number of protons in an atom.

EXPLORERS:
1. Neutrons are in the nucleus of the atom. A neutron has --------
a) a positive charge b) no charge
c) a negative charge d) twice as much positive charge as a proton

2. Compared to the entire atom, the nucleus of the atom is ---------

a) smaller and contains most of the atom’s mass.
b) smaller and contains little of the atom’s mass.
c) larger and contains most of the atom’s mass.
d) larger and contains little of the atom’s mass

3. Which description corresponds to a proton?

a) Mass = 1 amu, electric charge = 0
 b) Mass = 1 amu, electric charge = +1

c) Mass = 1/1836 amu, electric charge = -1

d) Mass = 4 amu, electric charge = +2

4. Complete the table:

Element Atomic Mass No: of No: of No: of neutrons
number number protons electrons

Phosphorus 15 15 16
Chlorine 35 17 17
Nitrogen 7 14

SCHOLARS:

35 32 37 31
1. 17P 16Q 17R 15S are four elements. Identify the pair of elements which are isotopes.

a) 17P35 16Q
32
b) 17P35 17R
37
c) 17P35 15S
31
d) None of the above.

2. Neon has 10 protons and 10 electrons. Choose the correct way in which electrons are filled in
the energy levels in Neon.
a) 2 in the first, 2 in the second, and 6 in the third
b) 4 in the first, 4 in the second, and 2 in the third
c) 2 in the first, 4 in the second, and 4 in the third
d)2 in the first, and 8 in the second

3.

a) K+ ion is stable than K atom (K: atomic number -19). Give reason.
b) Find the valency of K and K+

4. Why are electric bulbs filled with Argon instead of air?

Extension Task
Carbon-14 an isotope of carbon is found in all living things. Find information on how
archaeologists use this to calculate the age of fossils and some ancient remains.