5 x 1 hour lessons

This module revises the structure of atoms, the nature and properties of subatomic particles, isotopes and relative atomic mass, and how electrons are arranged in atoms and ions. You’ll also review time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry and practise interpreting the two main types of exam question it generates.

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By the end of this module you will be able to:

• explain the difference between protons, neutrons and electrons in terms of relative mass and charge

• determine the number of fundamental particles in atoms and ions using mass number, atomic number and charge

• explain the existence of isotopes

• calculate the relative atomic mass of an element from isotopic abundances

• write electron configurations for atoms and ions using s, p and d notation

• explain how TOF mass spectrometry works, including the stages of ionisation, acceleration, drift and detection

• calculate mass or relative atomic mass from TOF data

• answer both types of TOF spectroscopy questions

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AQA Specification Points: 1.1 Fundamental particles 1.2 Mass number and isotopes 1.3 Electron configuration