Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter and Their Subatomic Components

Atoms are the basic units of matter, composed of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The nucleus, containing protons and neutrons, is at the center of an atom, while electrons form an electron cloud around it. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons are neutral. Most of an atom's mass is in the nucleus, while the electron cloud occupies most of its volume. Despite their differences, all objects are made of atoms with the same subatomic particles.

What is everything in our world made up of?

• Atoms

• Molecules

• Compounds

• Cells

Which of the following is NOT a subatomic particle?

• Electron

• Neutron

• Proton

• Molecule

Where are electrons most likely to be found in an atom?

• In the neutron zone

• In the proton field

• In the electron cloud

• In the nucleus

What charge does a proton carry?

• No charge

• Positive

• Neutral

• Negative

How do the charges of protons and electrons interact in an atom?

• They cancel each other out

• They both become neutral

• They repel each other

• They have no interaction

What is the charge of a neutron?

• Positive

• Neutral

• Variable

• Negative

What unit is used to express the mass of subatomic particles?

• Kilogram

• Pound

• Unified atomic mass unit

• Gram

How does the mass of an electron compare to that of a proton?

• They have the same mass

• Electrons are heavier

• Electrons are much lighter

• Protons are lighter

Where does most of an atom's mass reside?

• In the nucleus

• In the electron cloud

• In the proton field

• In the neutron zone

Despite their differences, what do air, water, and cell phones have in common at the atomic level?

• They are made of different subatomic particles

• They have no common atomic structure

• They are made of molecules only

• They are composed of the same subatomic particles