An atom is the smallest particle of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element. Everything around us is made up of atoms, which are incredibly small, about one ten-billionth of a meter in size. An atom consists of three main components:
1. Protons
- Protons have a positive charge.
- They are located at the center of the atom in an area called the nucleus.
- The number of protons determines which element the atom represents. For example, a hydrogen atom has one proton, while a carbon atom has six.
2. Neutrons
- Neutrons have no charge, meaning they are neutral.
- They are also found in the nucleus, alongside the protons.
- Neutrons help stabilize the nucleus, as positively charged protons would repel each other without the presence of neutrons.
3. Electrons
- Electrons have a negative charge and are located outside the nucleus, on orbits (or energy levels) around it.
- They move at very high speeds, forming what is known as an electron cloud around the nucleus.
- In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.
Atomic Structure
The nucleus, containing protons and neutrons, makes up nearly all the atom’s mass. Electrons occupy the space around the nucleus, and their movement on orbits determines the atom’s size and chemical properties.
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