Basic Concepts of Atomic Structure

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Atom

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The smallest particle into which an element can be divided without losing its chemical identity.

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Atomic Structure

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An atom consists of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, surrounded by electrons in a cloud.

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Mass and Size

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The nucleus, with its protons and neutrons, contains most of the atom's mass but occupies a small volume.

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Atom Charge

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Neutral, the number of electrons equals the number of protons, resulting in no net charge.

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Nucleus

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The dense or heavy, central core of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

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Proton

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A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

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Identity

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The number of protons, known as the atomic number, uniquely identifies a chemical element.

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Neutron

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A neutral particle (no charge) found in the nucleus of an atom.

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Isotope

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A different version of a chemical element where atoms have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

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Electron

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A negatively charged particle orbiting the nucleus of an atom.