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Atomic Structure
11 questions By Tony R. Kuphaldt
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Question 10 of 11
Many students first learning about atomic structure and electricity notice a paradox with respect to the location of all the protons in an atom: despite their electrical charge, they are tightly bound together in a “core” called the nucleus. Based on what you know about electrical charges, explain why this is a paradox, and also what the solution to the paradox is.
Reveal answerParadox: since similar charges tend to physically repel each other, why should protons (all positively charged) cling so tightly together in the nucleus of an atom? Why don’t they fly apart from each other due to electrical repulsion?
I’ll let you research the answer to this paradox yourself!
Notes:Believe it or not, I once read a religious tract that used this paradox as proof of God’s existence. The argument went like this: everyone knows that like charges repel, so it must be God who holds the protons together! Volumes could be written on the psychology behind this argument, but I digress . . .
The solution to this paradox is the subject of freshman-level college physics. For those of you who don’t know the answer, I’ll give you a hint: it has something to do with the power of nuclear fission.
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Question 11 of 11
Write two algebraic equations relating the number of protons and neutrons in an atom to that atom’s atomic mass and atomic number:
Where,
P = Number of protons
N = Number of neutrons
A = Atomic mass
Z = Atomic number
Reveal answer$$A=P+N$$
$$Z=P$$
Where,
P = Number of protons
N = Number of neutrons
A = Atomic mass
Z = Atomic number
Notes:Admittedly, this is not a challenging problem in algebra, but it is important to introduce practical algebra to students in a gentle way at first. You may be surprised how many students have a theoretical knowledge of mathematics only, and find it difficult to apply even simple algebraic principles to realistic situations.
Question 11 answer appears to be typed incorrectly. It should be the following: A = P + N.