Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

1. Models of the atom

   • Atoms consist of positive 'dough'
   • solids cannot be squashed, therefore the atoms which make them up must be solid throughout
     • rubbing two solids together often results in static charge

2. Glossary

   • alpha particle :Subatomic particle comprising two protons and two neutrons (the same as a helium nucleus).
     • atom: The smallest part of an element that can exist.
       • electron: Subatomic particle, with a negative charge and a negligible mass relative to protons and neutrons.
         • nucleus: The central part of an atom. It contains protons and neutrons, and has most of the mass of the atom. The plural of nucleus is nuclei.
           • plum pudding model: The scientific idea that an atom is a sphere of positive charge, with negatively charged electrons in it.
             • vacuum: A volume that contains no matter.

3. Atoms, Isotopes, ions