Questions on Atomic Structure
222
1 The nucleus of a radon atom, 86 Rn , contains
A 222 protons and 86 neutrons B 86 protons and 136 neutrons
C 86 protons and 222 neutrons D 86 protons, 136 neutrons and 86 electrons
2 In which pair do the species contain the same number of neutrons?
A 108
46 Pd and 110
48 Cd B 118
50 Sn and 120
50 Sn C 196
78 Pt and 198
78 Pt
2+
D 226
88 Ra 2 + and 222
86 Rn
3 Complete the table below by giving the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons [4]
Species Protons Neutrons Electrons
23
11 Na
16
8 O
18
8 O 2−
40
20 Ca 2+
4 Consider the composition of the species W, X, Y and Z below. Which species is a positive ion?
Species Number of Number of Number of
protons neutrons electrons
W 9 10 10
X 11 12 11
Y 12 12 12
Z 13 14 10
A W B X C Y D Z
5 The isotopic composition of a certain element, Z, is 60 % of 24Z, 20 % of 25Z and 20 % of 26Z. Find the
relative atomic mass of Z.
A 24.30 B 24.35 C 24.45 D 24.60
6 (a) A sample of krypton contains
these isotopes.
Calculate the relative atomic mass of krypton in this sample. Give your answer to two
decimal places. [2]
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(b) Deduce the number of each sub-atomic particle in an atom of 84Kr. [2]
Protons ……….. Neutrons………….. Electrons ……………….
7 Europium has two naturally occurring isotopes, 151Eu and 153Eu. The relative atomic mass of europium
is 152.04. The natural abundances of these two isotopes are
A 151
Eu 50 % and Eu 50 %
153
B 151
Eu 48 % and 153
Eu 52 %
C 151
Eu 52 % and Eu 48 %
153
D 151
Eu 30 % and 153
Eu 70 %
Questions on Atomic Structure
8 The relative atomic masses of elements are based upon the 12C scale.
(a) What is the composition of the 12C nucleus?............................................................................ [1]
(b) Carbon also exists as the 14C isotope. How does the composition of the 14C isotope differ from
that of the 12C isotope? [1]
........................................................................................................................................................................
(c) The isotopic percentages in a sample of carbon were found to be 95 % 12C and 5% 14C.
(i) How could this information be obtained? [1]
........................................................................................................................................................................
(ii) Calculate the relative atomic mass of this sample [2]
9 Chlorine occurs as two natural isotopes, Chlorine-35 and Chlorine-37. Which one of the following
statements concering chlorine atoms is FALSE.
A All chlorine atoms have the same nuclear charge
B The nuclei have diameters which are approximately 1/10 000 of the diameter of chlorine atoms
C Some naturally occurring chlorine nuclei contain 18 neutrons
D Some naturally occurring chlorine nuclei contain 20 electrons
10 Isotopes are elements with
A the same atomic number and the same number of neutrons
B the same mass number but a different number of neutrons
C the same atomic number but a different number of neutrons
D different atomic and mass numbers but the same number of neutrons
11 Which of the following particles contains more electrons than neutrons?
1 35 39
I 1 H II 17 Cl − III 19 K+
A I only B II only C I and II only D II and III only
12 Chlorine exists as two isotopes, 35Cl and 37Cl. The relative atomic mass of chlorine is 35.45.
Calculate the percentage abundance of each isotope. [2]
13 Indium has two naturally occurring isotopes: indium-113 and indium-115. The relative atomic mass
of indium is 114.82. Calculate the natural abundance of each isotope. [2]
14 Considering only the most common isotope, which element(s) have more protons than neutrons in
the nucleus? State the symbols. [1]
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