The Structure of an Atom

The Structure of an Atom

1. Atom

   • the smallest particle of an element that retains the chemical properties of that element
   • all atoms consist of two regions
     • the nucleus
       • small region located in the center of the atom
       • the nucleus is made up of:
         • proton
           • positively charged particle
         • neutron
           • one or more neutral particles
       • electron
         • negatively charged electrons that surround the nucleus
   • atoms contain positive and negative particles
   • atoms are electrically neutral because they contain and even amount of protons and electrons