Atom
An atom is a base unit of matter, and the smallest divisible unit of an element.
Composition
Atoms are comprised of electrons, protons and neutrons:
- Protons (1.673 x 10-27kg) and Neutrons (1.675 x 10-27kg):
- Have a relative weight of 1
- Form the nucleus, which determines the weight of an atom
- Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have a neutral charge
- Electrons (6.63 x 10-34kg):
- Have a relative weight of 1/1833
- Form the 'electron cloud', which determines the size of the atom
- Have a negative charge
Charge
Atoms have the same number of protons and electrons, hence their overall charge is neutral.
Atomic Symbol Representation
page revision: 1, last edited: 07 Mar 2013 12:47