What is an Atom? The Nucleus of an Atom The nucleus is in the middle of the atom and contains protons, neutrons and electrons. These smaller particles of the atom - the protons, neutrons and electrons - all have different properties. Atoms must have equal numbers of protons and electrons. What is an Atom? - An Atom determines an Element Atoms are composed of three kinds of smaller particles, called protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons are made up of even smaller particles called quarks. The number of protons, the number of neutrons and the number of electrons an atom has determines what the element it is. - Atoms are composed of 3 kinds of small particles: protons, neutrons and electrons
- Atoms must have equal numbers of protons and electrons
What is an Atom? Protons Atoms of a particular element contain the same number of protons. Protons are much larger and heavier than electrons and have a positive charge. Protons are positively charged and located in the nucleus together with the neutrons. What is an Atom? Electrons Atoms of a particular element contain the same number of electrons. Electrons are tiny, very light particles that have a negative electrical charge. Electrons are negatively charged, circling the nucleus, making it a neutral, orbital particle. What is an Atom? - Neutrons? Neutrons are large and heavy like protons, however neutrons have no electrical charge. What is an Atom? - Protons, Electrons and Neutrons Atoms are composed of 3 kinds of small particles: protons, neutrons and electrons. - Protons have a positive charge
- Electrons have a negative charge
- Neutrons have no electrical charge
What is an Atom? Protons, Electrons and Neutrons | Particle | Charge | Location | Proton | +1 | Nucleus of Atom | Electron | -1 | Orbital | Neutron | 0 | Nucleus of Atom |
What is an Atom? - Molecules and Atoms Molecules and Atoms. A molecule is the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist. A molecule is capable of independent existence and can consist of one or more atoms, see the Molecules & Atoms link at the top of the page. What is an Atom? Related Terms The Atomic Number is the number of protons in the atom, see Periodic Table Number. The Atomic Mass, or atomic weight, is the average mass of atoms (protons and neutrons) of an element, see . Atoms of an element that have differing numbers of neutrons (but a constant atomic number) are termed isotopes. Element Isotopes have the same number of protons (and electrons) but different numbers of neutrons in the atom of an element. What is an Atom? |