Subatomic Particles

Subatomic particles are the components of atoms and are smaller than atoms themselves. There are three main types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Protons

Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, which in turn determines the element's identity.

Neutrons

Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They help stabilize the nucleus and contribute to the atom's mass.

Electrons

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells. They are involved in chemical bonding and determine the atom's reactivity.

Study Guide

Key Concepts

• The three main subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus, while electrons orbit the nucleus.
• Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge.
• The number of protons determines the element's atomic number, while the sum of protons and neutrons determines the atomic mass.

Practice Questions

1. What are the three main subatomic particles and where are they located within an atom?
2. How do protons, neutrons, and electrons differ in terms of their charges?
3. Explain the significance of the number of protons in determining an element's identity.
4. If an atom has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, what is its atomic number and atomic mass?

Further Reading

For further understanding of subatomic particles and atomic structure, you can explore the concepts of isotopes, electron configuration, and the periodic table of elements.

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