The Structure of an Atom

The Structure of an Atom

1. The smallest particles of an element

   • That can take part in chemical reactions

2. It contains a central nucleus, which is roughly 20,000 times smaller than the actual atom

3. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles

   • The Nucleus which contains protons and neutrons
   • The Electrons which are arranged in shells (energy levels) which electrons go round and circle the nucleus from different distances
   • These are very small with small mass and electrical charges
     • Subatomic particles are compared to a proton, and we name these: relative mass and relative charge

4. All atoms contain the same number of protons to electrons and therefore are neutral with no overall charge