Dr. Stephen Lukacs (March 2013)
This series of PodCasts presents the nature of atoms, and their more stable counterparts, ions. Orbitals, electron configurations, and Lewis Structures are discussed, along with adding and losing electrons to increase the stability of the species. The details of the periodic table are also discussed, along with its use as a map and as a table.
(December 2014) The subatomic particles are covered and their interplay to create the atom, which have a zero charge. Ions are the nonzero charged atom analog. The PodCast also covers basic calculations between mass (isotopes), protons, neutrons, charge, and electrons.
Remember: Atoms are zero charged elements, ions are nonzero charged elements, and isotopes have the same protons, so they are the same element, they just vary in the number of neutrons in the nucleus, so an isotope's mass varies also.
(December 2014) Electron configurations are a symbolic shorthand for the residences or orbitals of the electrons around the central nucleus of the atom or ion. Understanding electron configurations is essential to understanding the basis of ionic and covalent bonding, as well as, reactivity and chemical reactions.