Atomic and Nuclear Physics
DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93
ATOMIC NATURE OF MATTER
ATOMIC NATURE OF MATTER
All matter is composed of atoms. The atom is the smallest amount of
matter that retains the properties of an element. Atoms themselves are
composed of smaller particles, but these smaller particles no longer have
the same properties as the overall element.
EO 1.1
STATE the characteristics of the following atomic particles,
including mass, charge, and location within the atom:
a.
Proton
b.
Neutron
c.
Electron
EO 1.2
DESCRIBE the Bohr model of an atom.
EO 1.3
DEFINE the following terms:
a.
Nuclide
c.
Atomic number
b.
Isotope
d.
Mass number
EO 1.4
Given the standard AZ X notation for a particular nuclide,
DETERMINE the following:
a.
Number of protons
b.
Number of neutrons
c.
Number of electrons
EO 1.5
DESCRIBE the three forces that act on particles within the nucleus
and affect the stability of the nucleus.
Structure of Matter
Early Greek philosophers speculated that the earth was made up of different combinations of
basic substances, or elements. They considered these basic elements to be earth, air, water, and
fire. Modern science shows that the early Greeks held the correct concept that matter consists
of a combination of basic elements, but they incorrectly identified the elements.
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