Atomic Structure

Isotopes
 Atomic Structure
particle symbol location charge mass
proton p+ nucleus 1+ 1 amu

neutron no nucleus 0 1 amu

No charge

electron e- Electron 1- 1/1840 amu

cloud
 Matter

Atoms

nucleus electron cloud

Neutrons protons = electrons (in a neutral atom)

• The number of protons in an atom equals it’s atomic number
• Every atom has a unique atomic number
• Since electrons are easily gained or lost they determine the
overall charge of an atom
 Isotopes
• Atoms with the same number of protons but
different numbers of neutrons
• Another way to say – atoms of the same
element with different numbers of neutrons
• An elements mass number is the number of
protons plus the number of neutrons
• REVIEW: to determine the number of
neutrons subtract the atomic number from the
mass number
• Mass # – atomic # = # of neutrons
Isotopes of Lithium
Isotopic symbols
 Isotopic symbols

NOTE: Unlike on the periodic

table where the atomic number
is at the top of the box and the
average atomic mass is at the
bottom in isotopic symbols the
mass number is at the top and
the atomic number is at the
bottom.

If X is Hydrogen and its mass number is 2 then the isotopic symbol

would be
2H
1
 Isotopic symbols

If X is Fluorine and its mass

number is 20 then the correct
isotopic symbol is
Fluorine – 20.
If the atom has a charge the charge is written
to the upper right side of the symbol. If the
charge is either negative or positive 1 the 1 is
not written but understood to be 1.
Determine the number of neutron in each isotope

1. 238 – 92 = 146 neutrons

2. 84 – 36 = 48 neutrons

3. 35 – 17 = 18 neutrons

4. 14 – 6 = 8 neutrons