An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter and are composed of even smaller subatomic particles. The main components of an atom are:
Nucleus: At the center of an atom, you find the nucleus, which contains two types of subatomic particles:
Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.
Neutrons: Neutrally charged (no charge) particles found in the nucleus.
Electrons: Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in electron shells or energy levels. They are much smaller and lighter than protons and neutrons.
The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines its atomic number, which is a unique identifier for each element. The arrangement of electrons in electron shells around the nucleus determines the chemical properties of an element.
Atoms combine to form molecules, which make up all the substances we encounter in the world. Understanding the behavior of atoms is fundamental to understanding chemistry and the physical world around us.
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An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter and are composed of even smaller subatomic particles. The main components of an atom are:
Nucleus: At the center of an atom, you find the nucleus, which contains two types of subatomic particles:
Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.
Neutrons: Neutrally charged (no charge) particles found in the nucleus.
Electrons: Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in electron shells or energy levels. They are much smaller and lighter than protons and neutrons.
The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines its atomic number, which is a unique identifier for each element. The arrangement of electrons in electron shells around the nucleus determines the chemical properties of an element.
Atoms combine to form molecules, which make up all the substances we encounter in the world. Understanding the behavior of atoms is fundamental to understanding chemistry and the physical world around us.
[tex]Atom \: is \: the \: word \: derived \\ from \: the \: Greek \: word \\ atomio, \: which \: means \\ uncutable \: or \: indivisible[/tex]