Introduction to Atoms Exploring Inner Space
Atom The smallest particle of an element… makes up all matter.
Proton + +1 amu Neutron 0 (neutral) Electron - 0 amu Particle Charge Mass Proton + +1 amu Neutron 0 (neutral) Electron - 0 amu amu= atomic mass unit
The most stable form of an atom is electrically neutral… this means that the number of protons & electrons is equal.
Example=> Oxygen has 8 protons & 8 electrons
Nucleus: The center of the atom (contains protons & neutrons).
Electron cloud: electrons orbit the nucleus. (contains ONLY electrons).
The electrons fill energy levels within the electron cloud.
As a general rule, there are 2 electrons in the first energy level, up to 8 electrons in the second & 8 or more in each level after that.
Elements are atoms with the same number of protons that share the same physical & chemical properties… the # of protons determines the element. For example, hydrogen has only 1 proton in its nucleus, Lithium has 3 protons, and Oxygen has 8.
Atomic number = the number of protons in an atom How many protons does carbon have? 6
Almost all of the mass of an atom is in the nucleus.
Atomic mass = # of protons + # of neutrons
Carbon’s atomic mass is 12. Carbon has how many neutrons? 6 (atomic mass - # of protons = # of neutrons)
Every element is represented by a symbol… if it has one letter, that letter is capitalized (C=carbon). If it has two letters, the first is capitalized & the second is lower case. (Na = sodium)