ScienceFreePrintable

Atomic Structure and Ions

A free science worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Atomic Structure and Ions

Use the particle data and diagrams to solve each task. Assume atoms and ions are isolated unless a question says otherwise. Show working for calculations; use standard ion notation, such as Mg²⁺.

Read the particle data

The atomic number equals the number of protons. For a neutral atom, electrons equal protons. The mass number is protons plus neutrons.

Species

Protons

Neutrons

Electrons

²³Na

³⁵Cl⁻

²⁴Mg²⁺

1.From the species data, calculate the charge of a ²³Na atom with 11 protons and 11 electrons. Explain briefly using the charges of the particles.

2.A chlorine-35 atom gains one electron. Using the species data, state its number of protons and electrons, and explain why its nucleus is unchanged.

3.A magnesium atom has 12 protons, 12 neutrons and 12 electrons. It forms Mg²⁺. Select the correct particle counts for the ion.

12 protons, 12 neutrons, 10 electrons
10 protons, 12 neutrons, 12 electrons
12 protons, 10 neutrons, 14 electrons
14 protons, 12 neutrons, 10 electrons

4.Using the species data, describe the change that occurs when a neutral ²³Na atom becomes Na⁺, and identify which particle counts stay the same. (A neutral sodium atom has 11 protons, 12 neutrons and 11 electrons.)

Apply atomic structure

Use particle counts and electron arrangements to explain how atoms become ions.

5.Atomic number 15 is phosphorus. Write the nuclide symbol for an atom with 15 protons and 16 neutrons. Then state its electron count if it is neutral.

6.Atomic number 13 is aluminium. An ion contains 13 protons and 10 electrons. Determine its charge and write its ion symbol. Identify the element from its proton number.

7.An atom has electron arrangement 2,8,2. Predict the ion it is most likely to form, including its electron arrangement, and explain your prediction.

8.True or false: ³⁵Cl⁻ and ³⁷Cl⁻ have the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons. Give the neutron number for each isotope.

TrueFalse

9.A student says, “When an atom becomes an ion, its atomic number changes.” Correct the statement and explain how ion formation affects proton and electron numbers.

10.A neutral atom X has 20 protons and electron arrangement 2,8,8,2. Predict the ion it forms most readily and explain why changing its proton number would make it a different element rather than an ion of X.

3 printable pages

Page 1
Page 2
Page 3

Download now

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

Formatted for standard paper. Clean layout, easy to read.

AI-Generated

Created with Kuraplan's AI, designed for real classroom use.

For Teachers & Parents

Use in classrooms, for homework, tutoring, or homeschool.

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

Kuraplan's AI generates custom worksheets in seconds — differentiated for every learner, aligned to your curriculum.

Generate Custom Worksheets — Free

No credit card Curriculum-aligned Under 60 seconds

More Science Worksheets

Atomic Structure and Ions

Atomic Structure and Ions

Read the particle data

Apply atomic structure

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

More Science Worksheets

Chemical Reactions Energy Worksheet

Chemistry in Action

Chemical Reactions & Bonding

Balancing Chemical Equations

Kitchen Chemistry Adventure

Chemical Reactions Introduction

Element Flashcards Worksheet

Physical vs Chemical Changes

Explore more free resources