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In this I/GCSE Chemistry blog post, we will be introducing the atomic structures of elements as well as what and how sub-atomic particles are placed.
Atomic Structure
All substances are made up of tiny particles called atoms. There are about 100 different types of atom found naturally on Earth and they can combine in a huge variety of ways, giving all those different substances. They have a central nucleus with electrons orbiting around it.
Elements are made up of one type of atom and are composed entirely of the same atoms (have the same atomic number).
- Elements can have different properties: silver, gold, copper, and chromium are solid, shiny metals
- But other elements like argon, chlorine, nitrogen, and argon are non-metals and are gases at room temperature.
They are made up of three sub-atomic particles:
Protons
Neutrons
And electrons.
Hydrogen does not contain a neutron.
- Protons have a positive charge.
- Electrons have a negative charge. Neutrons are neutral (they have no charge). This makes it easier to remember.
NEUtrons are NEUtral.
- There is the same amount of positive protons as negative electrons. This means that an atom has no overall charge.
- Different elements have different numbers of protons in the nucleus.
That is all!
