Characteristics of a Proton
The two important characteristics of a proton are its mass and charge. These are described below.
1.Mass of a Proton.The proton is actually a hydrogen atom which has lost its electron. Since the mass of an electron is very small,we can say that the mass of a proton is equal to the mass of a hydrogen atom.But the mass of a hydrogen atom is 1 u,therefore,the relative mass of a proton is 1 u.If, however, we compare the mass of a proton with that of an electron, then the mass of a proton is 1840 times that of an electron. The absolute mass of a proton is gram.
2.Charge of a Proton.The charge of a proton is equal and opposite to the charge of an electron.So,the absolute charge of a proton is coulomb of positive charge.Now, coulomb has been found to be the smallest positive charge carried by any particle. So,this is taken as the unit of positive charge. This means that proton carries 1 unit positive charge. In other words,the relative charge of a proton is +1 (plus one).
The formation of cathode rays and anode rays on passing electricity through gases at very low pressure tells us that atom is not indivisible, it is made up of smaller particles. Actually,the formation of cathode rays tells us that atoms contain negatively charged particles (electrons) inside them whereas the formation of anode rays tells us that atoms contain positively charged particles (protons) in them.
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Structure of the Atom - Notes
1. Drawback of Rutherford’s Model of the Atom
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2. Rutherford’s Experiment - Discovery of Nucleus
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3. For the symbols H, D and T,tabulate three sub-atomic particles found in each of them.
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5. Structure of The Atom - Study Points
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10. Arrangement Of Electrons In The Atoms
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13. Limitations of Rutherford's model of the atom
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15. All about Names of the Chemical Elements
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16. How to learn naming Chemical Formulae?
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20. Comparison between Proton, Neutron and Electron
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21. Electronic Configurations of First 20 Elements
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26. Rules for writing of distribution of electrons in various shells for the first 18 elements
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36. The Physical Properties of the Isotopes of an Element are Different
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39. All the Isotopes of an Element Have Identical Chemical Properties
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42. Relationship Between Mass Number and Atomic Number
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44. Valaence Electrons (Or Valancy Electrons)
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45. Electronic Configurations of Noble Gases (or Inert Gases)
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48. Reason for the Fractional Atomic Masses of Elements
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49. Applications of Radioactive Isotopes
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50. Relation Between Valency and Valence Electrons
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