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Atoms and isotopes key terms

Study Atoms and isotopes with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.

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key terms

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Atoms and isotopes

AqaGcsePhysicsAtomic structure

Key terms

  • atom

    A very small particle that is the basic unit of a chemical element.

  • nucleus

    The small central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

  • nucleus

    The small central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

  • atom

    The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

  • nucleus

    The small central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

  • proton

    A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

  • nucleus

    The small central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

  • atom

    The basic unit of a chemical element, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.

  • electron

    A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom in energy levels.

  • nucleus

    The small, dense central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

  • proton

    A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

  • neutron

    A neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its mass.

  • proton

    A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

  • neutron

    A neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, contributing to its mass.

  • proton

    A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

  • electron

    A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

  • Ion

    An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

  • Electron

    A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

  • proton

    A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

  • neutron

    A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom that has no electrical charge.

  • neutral atom

    An atom with an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in no overall electrical charge.

  • charged ion

    An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

  • atomic number

    The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

  • mass number

    The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

  • mass number

    The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

  • atomic number

    The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element.

  • mass number

    The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

  • atomic number

    The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element.

  • isotope

    Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons.

  • mass number

    The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

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