Table of contents

1. Introduction to Microbiology3h 21m
2. Disproving Spontaneous Generation1h 18m
3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology3h 38m
4. Water1h 28m
5. Molecules of Microbiology2h 23m
6. Cell Membrane & Transport3h 28m
7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions5h 52m
8. Eukaryotic Cell Structures & Functions2h 18m
9. Microscopes2h 46m
10. Dynamics of Microbial Growth4h 36m
11. Controlling Microbial Growth4h 10m
12. Microbial Metabolism5h 16m
13. Photosynthesis2h 31m
14. DNA Replication2h 25m
15. Central Dogma & Gene Regulation7h 14m
16. Microbial Genetics4h 44m
17. Biotechnology3h 0m
18. Viruses, Viroids, & Prions4h 56m
19. Innate Immunity7h 15m
20. Adaptive Immunity7h 14m
21. Principles of Disease6h 57m

3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology

Atoms- Smallest Unit of Matter

Microbiology

3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology

Atoms- Smallest Unit of Matter

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2:38 minutes

Problem 2.1a

Textbook Question

Using the periodic table, answer the following questions:
a. What is the atomic number for lithium (Li)?
b. What is the atomic mass of oxygen (O)?
c. What is the chemical symbol for potassium?
d. How many protons does nitrogen have?
e. How many neutrons does lead have?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the atomic number of lithium (Li) by locating it on the periodic table. The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom of the element.

Find the atomic mass of oxygen (O) on the periodic table. The atomic mass is usually found below the element symbol and is the average mass of the element's isotopes.

Locate potassium on the periodic table to determine its chemical symbol. The chemical symbol is a one or two-letter abbreviation of the element's name.

Determine the number of protons in nitrogen by finding its atomic number on the periodic table. The atomic number is equal to the number of protons.

To find the number of neutrons in lead, first locate lead on the periodic table to find its atomic number and atomic mass. Subtract the atomic number from the atomic mass (rounded to the nearest whole number) to get the number of neutrons.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Number

The atomic number of an element is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom of that element. It uniquely identifies the element and determines its position on the periodic table. For example, lithium (Li) has an atomic number of 3, indicating it has three protons.

Atomic Mass

Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an element's isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu). It reflects the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. For instance, oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16 amu, which accounts for its most common isotopes.

Chemical Symbol

A chemical symbol is a one- or two-letter notation used to represent an element on the periodic table. Each symbol is unique to an element, often derived from its English or Latin name. For example, potassium is represented by the symbol 'K', which comes from its Latin name 'kalium'.