An atom is the smallest unit of matter that defines the chemical elements. Atoms are made up of three subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The structure of an atom consists of a nucleus at the center, which contains protons and neutrons. Electrons orbit around the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells.
The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in its nucleus. The mass number is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Understanding the structure and properties of atoms is fundamental to understanding the behavior of matter and chemical reactions.