Monday, October 17, 2011

Atomic Structure!

Atomic structure is made up of 3 different types of particles, electrons, neutrons, and protons. Each of these three particles have different characteristics to make them liable for their actions. Electrons have a negative charge and are very small and light weight particles. Neutrons have a neutral charge, they have no electrical charge positive or negative. Neutrons are large and heavy particles as are protons. Protons are large and very heavy particles, that have a positive charge opposite of an electron particle.


Within an atomic structure model the protons and neutrons reside within the nucleus whereas the electrons orbit around the nucleus. Depending on the type of element the amount of protons, electrons, and neutrons will change. The number of neutrons and protons are always the same whereas the electron number is different. Each element has an atomic number and a mass number.

The mass number of an element is the number on top of the element symbol. The bottom number is the atomic number. To fine the number of electrons within the element you simply look at the atomic number.The mass number is 56 and the atomic number is 26 which concludes that there are 30 neutrons and 30 protons. You simply subtract the two to get the number of neutrons and protons.


Elements are substances that are made up of only one type of matter, such as hydrogen or oxygen. Atoms happen to be the smallest particles of any element that actually obtain all the properties of the elements. Within the atom lies the nucleus in which protons and neutrons reside and become the mass of the atom. Within chemistry elements can be combined to create a new substance, these changes are called compounds. Compounds are substances where two or more elements are joined and lose each of their properties to create a new substance among those that have been combined.

Here is a Youtube Video of atomic structure and those scientist who created the atomic theory and provided ideas to support the structure that is behind these tiny particles.

Atomic Theory Song

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