POGIL: Atomic Nuclei In this POGIL we will learn how to interpret the symbols we use for describing atomic

nuclei and the units of measurement we use for their masses. You should have a periodic table handy as you go through the exercises. Symbols of Atomic Nuclei Atomic nuclei contain positively charged protons and neutral neutrons. These particles as a group are referred to as nucleons because they comprise the nucleus. The following examples demonstrate how the symbols of atomic nuclei indicate the number of protons, neutrons, and nucleons in an atomic nucleus.
12

A carbon nucleus with 6 protons and 6 neutrons for a total of 12 nucleons A carbon nucleus with 6 protons and 7 neutrons for a total of 13 nucleons A carbon nucleus with 6 protons and 8 neutrons for a total of 14 nucleons

13

C C

14

The atomic nuclei above are called isotopes of each other.

22

Na Na Na

A sodium nucleus with 11 protons and 11 neutrons for a total of 22 nucleons. A sodium nucleus with 11 protons and 12 neutrons for a total of 23 nucleons A sodium nucleus with 11 protons and 13 neutrons for a total of 24 nucleons

23

24

The atomic nuclei above are also considered isotopes of each other. 1. Fill in the missing information in the chart below. Nuclear Symbol
14 15 35 36

Element Name

Number of Number of Number of Protons Neutrons Nucleons

N N Cl Cl Ra Ra

223 226

2. Which of the nuclei in the chart above are isotopes of each other?

3. Fill in the missing information in the chart below. Nuclear Symbol Element Name Number of Number of Number of Protons Neutrons Nucleons 90 143 55 Plutonium 56 Uranium 4. Which of the nuclei in the chart above are isotopes of each other? 77 146 79 244 235 235

5. What differentiates isotopes from each other?

6. What do isotopes have in common with each other?

7. Isotopes have the same chemical properties as each other. Why is this?

Note that because isotopes have similar chemical properties, they are extremely difficult to separate from each other through chemical means. Masses of Atomic Nuclei There are several units of measurement at our disposal for expressing the mass of an atomic nucleus. kilograms (kg) This is the mass unit that we have been using all along, but it is an inconvenient unit because a kilogram is so large compared to the masses of atomic nuclei. This is hardly surprising since the

mass of a proton and a neutron is only 1.673x1027 kg and 1.675x1027 kg, respectively. atomic mass units (u) 1 atomic mass unit is defined as 1/12 the mass of a 12C atom. It is equivalent to 1.660x1027 kg. Joules (J) Since the mass of an object is reflective of its energy, we can express its mass by its rest energy. This would naturally lead to units of Joules, related to the rest mass by the equation E = mc2. However, it is an inconvenient unit for the same reason that the kilogram is inconvenient. electron volts (eV) and megaelectron volts (MeV) An electron volt, also used to express rest energy, is the energy that a proton or electron gains when it passes through a voltage of one volt. It is therefore equivalent to 1.60x10 19 J. Most atomic nuclei have rest energies on the order of 106 eV, so we usually use megaelectron volts for rest energies.

8. What is the rest mass of a proton expressed in: (a) atomic mass units?

(b) Joules?

(c) electron volts?

(d) megaelectron volts?

9. What is the rest mass of a neutron expressed in: (a) atomic mass units?

(b) Joules?

(c) electron volts?

(d) megaelectron volts?

10. Fill in the missing information in the following chart. Nucleus

14

Mass (kg) 2.3245x1026

Mass (u)

Mass (J)

Mass (eV)

Mass (MeV)

C U U

235 238 4

235.04 3.5565x108 3727

He

11. Why do isotopes have different masses?