#Atomic Structure and Isotopes: Your Ultimate AP Chemistry Review ⚛️

Hey there, future AP Chem rockstar! Let's dive into the heart of matter – atoms! This guide will break down everything you need to know about atomic structure, isotopes, and mass spectrometry, all while keeping it chill and easy to understand. Let's get started!

#1. The Basics: Atoms and the Periodic Table 🧐

#1.1. Subatomic Particles

Atoms are made of three main subatomic particles:

• Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus. The number of protons defines the element. ➕
• Neutrons: Neutral particles also found in the nucleus. They contribute to the mass of the atom but not its charge. ⊝
• Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus. They determine an atom's chemical behavior. ➖

#1.2. The Periodic Table: A Quick Tour

The periodic table is your best friend in chemistry. Here's what you need to know:

• Element Symbol: A unique one- or two-letter abbreviation for each element (e.g., H for hydrogen, O for oxygen). 🔤
• Atomic Number: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus. This number defines the element and is located above the element symbol. Also equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom. 🔢
• Atomic Mass: The weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element, found below the element symbol. This is what we will focus on in this guide! ⚖️

#2. Isotopes: Variations on a Theme 👯

#2.1. What are Isotopes?

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number but different atomic masses. 💡

• Same number of protons and electrons.
• Different number of neutrons.
• Different atomic masses.

#2.2. Carbon Isotopes: A Real-World Example

Let's look at carbon, which has three naturally occurring isotopes:

• Carbon-12 (¹²C): 6 protons, 6 neutrons. Most abundant (98.9%). Stable. 🥇
• Carbon-13 (¹³C): 6 protons, 7 neutrons. Less abundant (1.1%). Stable. 🥈
• Carbon-14 (¹⁴C): 6 protons, 8 neutrons. Rare (1 part per trillion). Radioactive. ☢️

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