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AQA GCSE · Question 01.5 · Atomic structure and the periodic table
An atom of element Z contains: 3 electrons, 4 neutrons, 3 protons. Complete the diagram to show the position of the particles in an atom of element Z. Use the symbols: × = electron, ● = neutron, ○ = proton.
An atom of element Z contains: 3 electrons, 4 neutrons, 3 protons. Complete the diagram to show the position of the particles in an atom of element Z. Use the symbols: × = electron, ● = neutron, ○ = proton.
How to approach this question
1. Identify the location of each particle: protons and neutrons go in the nucleus (the central part), and electrons go in the shells (the circles orbiting the nucleus).\n2. Place the correct number of protons (3 ○) and neutrons (4 ●) inside the nucleus.\n3. Place the electrons (3 ×) in the shells. Remember the first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8. So, place 2 electrons in the first shell and the remaining 1 electron in the second shell.
Full Answer
<svg width="250" height="250" viewBox="0 0 250 250" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><circle cx="125" cy="125" r="30" fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="1"/><circle cx="125" cy="125" r="70" fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="1"/><circle cx="125" cy="125" r="110" fill="none" stroke="black" stroke-width="1"/><text x="180" y="180" font-family="Arial" font-size="12">Nucleus</text><line x1="155" y1="140" x2="180" y2="170" stroke="black" stroke-width="1"/><!-- Protons --><circle cx="120" cy="120" r="5" fill="white" stroke="black"/><circle cx="130" cy="120" r="5" fill="white" stroke="black"/><circle cx="125" cy="130" r="5" fill="white" stroke="black"/><!-- Neutrons --><circle cx="118" cy="130" r="5" fill="black"/><circle cx="132" cy="130" r="5" fill="black"/><circle cx="125" cy="112" r="5" fill="black"/><circle cx="135" cy="125" r="5" fill="black"/><!-- Electrons --><text x="122" y="60" font-family="Arial" font-size="20" fill="black">×</text><text x="52" y="128" font-family="Arial" font-size="20" fill="black">×</text><text x="192" y="128" font-family="Arial" font-size="20" fill="black">×</text></svg>
The structure of an atom of Lithium (element Z) is as follows:\n- **Nucleus:** Contains the protons and neutrons. So, 3 protons (○) and 4 neutrons (●) are placed in the central circle.\n- **Electron Shells:** Contain the electrons. Lithium has 3 electrons. The electron configuration is 2,1. This means 2 electrons (×) are placed on the first shell (the innermost circle), and the remaining 1 electron (×) is placed on the second shell.
Common mistakes
✗ Placing protons or neutrons in the electron shells.\n✗ Placing electrons in the nucleus.\n✗ Incorrect number of electrons in the shells (e.g., all 3 in the first shell).
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