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Atoms (Structure of Atoms)

notes on structure of atoms

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28 views1 page

Atoms (Structure of Atoms)

notes on structure of atoms

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misosoup
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Atoms

Introduction
An atom is the smallest particle of a matter that defines a chemical element. Atoms are
indivisible, they cannot be broken down into smaller particles.
 Element – a pure substance made up of only one kind of atom that cannot be broken
down into simpler substances by physical changes or chemical reactions.
 Compound – a substance made up of 2 or more different elements whose atoms are
chemically bonded.
 Molecule – the smaller particle of a substance that has all the properties of that
substance; made up of 2 or more atoms that are chemically bonded.

Structure of an Atom
 Atoms are made up of three smaller subatomic particles: protons, electrons and
neutrons
 The Nucleus
 The center, made up of smaller subatomic particles: protons and neutrons
 Has a positive charge because of the protons
 Almost the whole mass of the atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
 The Electrons
 Has a negative charge and move around the nucleus in electron shells (valency)
 Electrons have virtually no mass
 The Protons
 Has a positive charge
 Atoms are neutral, they have the same number of protons as electrons
 The charge on the electrons is the same size as the charge on the protons, but
opposite – so the charge cancels out.
Atomic Numbers and Mass Numbers
 Atomic Number of an Atom
 Number of protons in the nucleus
 Mass Number of an Atom
 Number of protons + neutrons in the nucleus
 Number of Protons = Number of Electrons
 To get no. of neutrons, just substract the atomic number from the mass number.
 Electrons orbits the nucleus in shells – Valency
 Only a certain number of electron are allowed in each shell.
 1st shell: 2 2nd shell: 8 3rd shell: 8

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