Chapter 17, Problem 53A

When an atom loses an electron and becomes a positively charged ion, how significant is the change in the atom’s mass?

To determine

To explain: The significance of the change in the atom’s mass.

Answer to Problem 53A

There will be no change in the mass of the atom.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An element is a material composed of only one kind of atom.

Atoms are the building blocks of matter.

The mass of an atom is primarily concentrated in the nucleus.

The nucleus occupies less than a trillionth of the volume of an atom.

Protons in the atom’s nucleus are positive and electrons orbiting the nucleus are negative.

The number of electrons and number of protons are equal in an electrically neutral atom.

The mass of electron is

  $\frac{1}{1800}$ times the mass of proton.

By losing an electron, the atom becomes a positively charged ion. But, while converting to an ion there will be no change in the number of neutrons and number of protons on which the atomic mass depends.

Conclusion:

Thus, there will be no change in the mass of the atom.