AQA · GCSE · Physics

    Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016

    The name proton was given to these particles.

    Full specification wording

    The development of the model of the atom (common content with chemistry): The name proton was given to these particles.

    The identical positively charged particles that make up the charge of a nucleus were named protons.

    Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 10 of 12
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The identical positively charged particles that make up the charge of a nucleus were named protons. A proton has a relative charge of +1 and a relative mass of 1, the same mass as a neutron and about two thousand times the mass of an electron. The number of protons in a nucleus is the atomic number, and it is what fixes the identity of the element: six protons is always carbon, whatever the number of neutrons or electrons. Because the proton number determines the element, the periodic table is ordered by it. Losing or gaining electrons makes an ion but leaves the proton number, and so the element, unchanged.

    What earns the marks

    • Naming the subdivided units of nuclear positive charge as protons.
    • A relative charge of +1 and a relative mass of 1 for a proton.
    • Stating that the number of protons is the atomic number.
    • Stating that the number of protons determines which element the atom is.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Naming the particle a neutron or an electron.

    • Giving the proton a negative charge or a charge of zero.

    • Saying the proton was named by Chadwick.

    • Claiming the proton number changes when an atom becomes an ion.

    Exam tips

    • Pair proton with +1 and relative mass 1 every time; one-mark recall questions use exactly this.
    • Say the number of protons is the atomic number when a question asks what fixes the element.
    • Do not confuse naming the proton with discovering the nucleus; they are separate steps.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the The development of the model of the atom (common content with chemistry): The name proton was given to these particles. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What is the name of the positively charged particle found inside the nucleus of an atom?

    Listen

    The identical positively charged particles that make up the charge of a nucleus were named protons. A proton has a relative charge of +1 and a relative mass of 1, the same mass as a neutron and about two thousand times the mass of an electron. The number of protons in a nucleus is the atomic number, and it is what fixes the identity of the element: six protons is always carbon, whatever the number of neutrons or electrons. Because the proton number determines the element, the periodic table is ordered by it. Losing or gaining electrons makes an ion but leaves the proton number, and so the element, unchanged. A strong answer earns marks for these points. naming the subdivided units of nuclear positive charge as protons. a relative charge of +1 and a relative mass of 1 for a proton. stating that the number of protons is the atomic number. stating that the number of protons determines which element the atom is. Exam tip: Pair proton with +1 and relative mass 1 every time; one-mark recall questions use exactly this.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The top node reads 'Proton named'. Three arrows lead from it to 'Relative charge +1', 'Relative mass 1' and 'Number of protons is the atomic number'. From 'Number of protons is the atomic number' an arrow leads to 'Number of protons fixes the element'. From that node two arrows lead out: one to 'Periodic table ordered by proton number', and one to 'Losing or gaining electrons makes an ion'. From the ion node an arrow leads to 'Proton number unchanged, so element unchanged'.
    It shows the proton's charge and mass, and how the proton number fixes the element and stays the same when an ion forms.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    proton

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    relative charge and mass

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    atomic number

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    element identity

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    proton
    The name given to the identical positively charged particles that make up the charge of a nucleus.
    relative charge and mass
    A proton has a relative charge of +1 and a relative mass of 1, the same mass as a neutron.
    atomic number
    The number of protons in a nucleus.
    element identity
    The number of protons fixes which element the atom is, so six protons is always carbon.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The top node reads 'Proton named'. Three arrows lead from it to 'Relative charge +1', 'Relative mass 1' and 'Number of protons is the atomic number'. From 'Number of protons is the atomic number' an arrow leads to 'Number of protons fixes the element'. From that node two arrows lead out: one to 'Periodic table ordered by proton number', and one to 'Losing or gaining electrons makes an ion'. From the ion node an arrow leads to 'Proton number unchanged, so element unchanged'.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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