An atom is the basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus composed of protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting the nucleus. Atoms are the building blocks of all elements and are the smallest entities that retain the chemical properties of an element.
Key components of an atom include:
1. **Nucleus:** The central core of an atom contains protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive charge, and neutrons have no charge (neutral).
2. **Electrons:** Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in energy levels or electron shells. Electrons are much smaller and lighter than protons and neutrons.
3. **Protons:** Positively charged particles found in the nucleus. The number of protons in the nucleus defines the element and is known as the atomic number.
4. **Neutrons:** Neutral particles found in the nucleus alongside protons. The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus determines the atomic mass.
Atoms are electrically neutral because the number of protons (positively charged) equals the number of electrons (negatively charged). The arrangement of electrons in energy levels around the nucleus is often depicted using electron configuration diagrams.
The structure of an atom is characterized by the following principles:
- **Atomic Number:** The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It uniquely identifies an element.
- **Atomic Mass:** The atomic mass of an atom is the sum of the masses of its protons and neutrons. It is usually expressed in atomic mass units (amu).
- **Isotopes:** Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons, resulting in isotopes. Isotopes have the same atomic number but different atomic masses.
- **Electron Shells:** Electrons occupy different energy levels, or shells, around the nucleus. Each shell can hold a specific number of electrons.
Atoms combine to form molecules through chemical bonds. The study of atoms and their interactions is fundamental to chemistry and our understanding of the properties and behavior of matter.
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An atom is the basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons.
Answer:
An atom is the basic unit of matter, consisting of a nucleus composed of protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting the nucleus. Atoms are the building blocks of all elements and are the smallest entities that retain the chemical properties of an element.
Key components of an atom include:
1. **Nucleus:** The central core of an atom contains protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive charge, and neutrons have no charge (neutral).
2. **Electrons:** Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in energy levels or electron shells. Electrons are much smaller and lighter than protons and neutrons.
3. **Protons:** Positively charged particles found in the nucleus. The number of protons in the nucleus defines the element and is known as the atomic number.
4. **Neutrons:** Neutral particles found in the nucleus alongside protons. The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus determines the atomic mass.
Atoms are electrically neutral because the number of protons (positively charged) equals the number of electrons (negatively charged). The arrangement of electrons in energy levels around the nucleus is often depicted using electron configuration diagrams.
The structure of an atom is characterized by the following principles:
- **Atomic Number:** The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. It uniquely identifies an element.
- **Atomic Mass:** The atomic mass of an atom is the sum of the masses of its protons and neutrons. It is usually expressed in atomic mass units (amu).
- **Isotopes:** Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons, resulting in isotopes. Isotopes have the same atomic number but different atomic masses.
- **Electron Shells:** Electrons occupy different energy levels, or shells, around the nucleus. Each shell can hold a specific number of electrons.
Atoms combine to form molecules through chemical bonds. The study of atoms and their interactions is fundamental to chemistry and our understanding of the properties and behavior of matter.