Question

List the symbol and atomic number of each element. (a) carbon (b) nitrogen (c) sodium (d) potassium (e) copper

Short answer

The symbols and atomic numbers are: (a) Carbon - C, 6; (b) Nitrogen - N, 7; (c) Sodium - Na, 11; (d) Potassium - K, 19; (e) Copper - Cu, 29.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Symbol and Atomic Number of Carbon

To find the symbol and atomic number of carbon, refer to the periodic table. Carbon is represented by the symbol 'C' and has an atomic number of 6.

Identify the Symbol and Atomic Number of Nitrogen

Nitrogen is denoted by the symbol 'N' on the periodic table. The atomic number of nitrogen, which indicates the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, is 7.

Identify the Symbol and Atomic Number of Sodium

Sodium is represented by the symbol 'Na' on the periodic table. The atomic number of sodium is 11, which is the number of protons found in the nucleus of a sodium atom.

Identify the Symbol and Atomic Number of Potassium

The symbol for potassium on the periodic table is 'K'. Potassium's atomic number is 19, and this number signifies the quantity of protons in a potassium atom's nucleus.

Identify the Symbol and Atomic Number of Copper

Copper has the symbol 'Cu' as per the periodic table, and it comes with an atomic number of 29. This number represents the count of protons in the nucleus of a copper atom.

Key concepts

Periodic Table

The periodic table is a fundamental tool in chemistry, organized to display all known chemical elements in an informative array. Elements are arranged according to their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. Columns, known as groups, often contain elements with similar chemical behaviors. For example, all noble gases are located in the far-right column, possessing similar non-reactive characteristics.

Rows, referred to as periods, represent elements with the same number of electron shells. As you move from left to right across a period, the atomic number increments by one, signaling an addition of one proton and one electron in a neutrally charged atom. This systematic arrangement allows students and scientists to predict the properties of elements, even those not yet discovered or fully understood.

Chemical Elements

Building Blocks of Matter

Chemical elements are the basic building blocks of matter. They consist of only one type of atom, and they cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Each element is unique and characterized by an atomic number which corresponds to the number of protons in its nucleus.

The atomic number not only distinguishes one element from another but also has implications on the element's chemical behavior. For instance, elements with similar valence electron configurations tend to have similar properties, leading to the periodic table's grouping of elements. Understanding how to identify and compare elements is a key aspect of chemistry, with real-world applications in fields ranging from materials science to biology and environmental science.

Protons in Nucleus

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom is what defines an element's atomic number and, by extension, its identity. These positively charged particles are found at the core of an atom, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The balance between the number of protons and electrons in a neutral atom is equal, ensuring electrical neutrality.

When identifying elements on the periodic table, it is the atomic number which indicates how many protons a particular element's atoms possess. Like a unique identifier, the atomic number tells you how many protons are in a nucleus without ambiguity. This not only facilitates element identification but also holds the key to understanding the element's place on the periodic table and its inherent properties.