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Atomic Structure Introduction Practice Tests

These Grade 8 Science practice tests cover atoms, nuclei, protons, neutrons, electrons, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, ions, valence electrons, energy levels, atomic models, and periodic-table patterns.

Skills covered

  • Identifying the location, charge, and role of protons, neutrons, and electrons
  • Using atomic number and mass number to determine atomic structure
  • Distinguishing isotopes, ions, cations, anions, elements, and compounds
  • Connecting valence electrons and energy levels to periodic-table patterns
  • Using evidence and models to explain how scientific ideas about atoms develop

How to use these practice tests

Start with the proton number because it identifies the element. Then use mass number to find neutrons and compare protons with electrons to determine charge. Use the periodic table and atomic models to check the result.

For more Grade 8 Science practice, return to the Grade 8 Science category.

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1. Test

Grade 8 Atomic Structure Introduction Practice Tests

Practice Grade 8 Science questions about atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons, nuclei, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, ions, and periodic-table patterns.

Choose the best answer for each question. Use proton number, mass number, charge, electron arrangement, and periodic-table patterns to analyze atomic structure.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

What is an atom?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The smallest unit of an element that retains the elements identity.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Atoms are the basic units of elements and still have the properties that identify the element.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

Where are protons and neutrons found?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is In the nucleus of an atom.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

The nucleus is the small, dense central region that contains protons and neutrons.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

What charge does a proton have?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Positive.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Protons have a positive electric charge.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

What charge does a neutron have?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is No net charge.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Neutrons are electrically neutral, so they have no net charge.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

What charge does an electron have?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Negative.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Electrons have a negative electric charge and occupy the region around the nucleus.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

What is true about a neutral atom?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is It has equal numbers of protons and electrons..

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Equal positive proton charge and negative electron charge cancel in a neutral atom.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

What does the atomic number of an element tell you?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is The number of protons in the nucleus.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Atomic number is defined by proton count and identifies the element.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

What does the mass number represent?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is The total number of protons and neutrons.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Mass number counts the particles in the nucleus: protons plus neutrons.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

What determines which element an atom is?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is The number of protons.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

Changing proton number changes the identity of the element.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

How are elements arranged on the periodic table?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is By increasing atomic number and repeating patterns in properties.

  1. Identify the atomic information: Find the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons or identify the particle, model, element, isotope, or ion being described.
  2. Apply the relationship: Use atomic number for protons, mass number for protons plus neutrons, and net charge for the difference between protons and electrons.
  3. Check the model: Confirm that the conclusion matches the structure of the atom and the evidence represented by the diagram, notation, or periodic table.

The periodic table is ordered by atomic number and places elements with related properties in patterns.

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