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Atomic Structure

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, consisting of a dense nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in energy levels. The atomic number indicates the number of protons, while the mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons. In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, balancing the overall charge.

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2 views2 pages

Atomic Structure

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, consisting of a dense nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in energy levels. The atomic number indicates the number of protons, while the mass number represents the total number of protons and neutrons. In a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, balancing the overall charge.

Uploaded by

Michael Nabih
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Atomic Structure

Everything around us is made of atoms. An atom is the smallest particle of an


element that retains the chemical properties of that element. Although atoms are
extremely small, they are made up of even smaller particles called subatomic
particles.
Every atom consists of a tiny, dense nucleus surrounded by electrons arranged in
shells (energy levels). The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while the
electrons move rapidly around the nucleus.
Since the mass of an electron is negligible compared with that of a proton or
neutron, almost all the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus.
A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, so its overall charge
is zero. Although the nucleus is positively charged because it contains protons,
the negative charge of the electrons balances the positive charge of the protons.
Atomic Number (Proton Number)
The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Every
element has its own unique atomic number.
In a neutral atom:
• Number of protons = Number of electrons
Mass Number (Nucleon Number)
The mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
Number of neutrons = Mass number − Atomic number
Examples
Sodium (²³₁₁Na)
• Protons = 11
• Electrons = 11
• Neutrons = 23 − 11 = 12
Magnesium (²⁴₁₂Mg)
• Protons = 12
• Electrons = 12
• Neutrons = 24 − 12 = 12
Remember
• The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.
• Electrons occupy shells (energy levels) around the nucleus.
• The atomic number = number of protons.
• The mass number = protons + neutrons.
• In a neutral atom, protons = electrons.
• Almost all the mass of an atom is concentrated in the nucleus because
electrons have a negligible mass.

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