This Self-Learning Kit in Science is intended for the students

of Grade 9. The purpose of this SLK is to help students

understand the subatomic particles of an atom ,what they are,
where they are found, and what they do. Through this
learning kit, students will explore how protons, neutrons, and
electrons work together to form the structure of every atom in
the universe.

There are many activities included in this SLK that will guide
students in learning about the different parts of an atom.
These activities are designed to make learning interactive and
enjoyable while helping students build a clear understanding
of how these particles function and relate to one another.

Hopefully, students will appreciate each activity and gain a

deeper knowledge of how the smallest particles make up
everything around us.

Make your learning experience meaningful as you go along

with this SLK. Take your time, explore each part, and discover
the fascinating world inside the atom, where even the tiniest
particles have a big role to play!
ONE MORNING, INSIDE THE TINY WORLD OF AN ATOM, PROTON , NEUTRON, AND
ELECTRON WERE GATHERED AROUND THE NUCLEUS. THEY WERE CURIOUS OF WHO
AMONG THEM PLAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING THE ATOM TOGETHER? TO
FIND OUT, THEY DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT MAKES EACH OF THEM SPECIAL.
6.
6. What
What does
does the
the atomic
atomic number
number of of an
an element
element represent?
represent?
a)
a) The
The number
number of of neutrons
neutrons inin the
the nucleus
nucleus
b)
b) The
The total
total number
number of of subatomic
subatomic particles
particles
c)
c) The
The number
number of of protons
protons in
in an
an atom
atom
d)
d) The
The mass
mass of
of the
the element
element

7.
7. In
In aa neutral
neutral atom,
atom, the
the number
number of
of protons
protons is
is equal
equal to
to the
the number
number of:
of:
a)
a) Electrons
Electrons
b)
b) Neutrons
Neutrons
c)
c) Molecules
Molecules
d)
d) Nuclei
Nuclei

8.
8. What
What is
is the
the main
main role
role of
of neutrons
neutrons in
in the
the nucleus?
nucleus?
a)
a) They
They determine
determine the the element’s
element’s identity
identity
b)
b) They
They act
act asas “nuclear
“nuclear glue”
glue” that
that holds
holds protons
protons together
together
c)
c) They
They control
control electron
electron movement
movement
d)
d) They
They give
give the
the atom
atom its
its color
color

9.
9. When
When atoms
atoms of
of the
the same
same element
element have
have different
different numbers
numbers of
of neutrons,
neutrons, they
they
are
are called:
called:
a)
a) Compounds
Compounds
b)
b) Ions
Ions
c)
c) Isotopes
Isotopes
d)
d) Mixtures
Mixtures

10.
10. Which
Which formula
formula correctly
correctly shows
shows how
how to
to find
find the
the number
number of
of neutrons
neutrons in
in an
an
atom?
atom?
a)
a) Mass
Mass number
number ++ atomic
atomic number
number
b)
b) Atomic
Atomic number
number ÷÷ mass
mass number
number
c)
c) Atomic
Atomic number
number −− mass
mass number
number
d)
d) Mass
Mass number
number −− atomic
atomic number
number
 LET’S TEST YOUR BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SUBATOMIC PARTICLES
COMPLETING THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE BELOW BY WRITING ONE LETTER IN EACH
BOX. CLUES ARE GIVEN BELOW THE PUZZLE.

1. THE CENTER PART OF AN ATOM WHERE PROTONS AND NEUTRONS ARE FOUND.
3. THE PARTICLE THAT HAS A POSITIVE CHARGE.
4. THE PARTICLE THAT MOVES AROUND THE NUCLEUS.

2. THE PARTICLE THAT HAS A NEUTRAL CHARGE.

2.

1.

3.

4.
Directions: Complete the activity by filling in the blanks. Use the clues
provided to determine the correct answers.
1.

Clues:
1. They are negatively charged
particles that orbit the nucleus.
2.

2. These particles are inside the

nucleus but have no charge.

3. They are positively charged

particles inside the nucleus.
3.

Direction: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What are subatomic particles, and how do they help us understand the composition of an atom?
2. How do protons, neutrons, and electrons differ in terms of charge, mass, and location within the
atom?
3. Why are electrons important in determining how atoms interact or form chemical bonds with one
another?
 Subatomic Particles
Have you ever wondered what everything around you is made of?
Everything around us is made up of tiny particles called atoms. What is
an atom?
The word "atom" is derived from the Greek word, "atomos" or
indivisible. Atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the identity
of the substance. Atom is thought to be the smallest particle of a given
element

In the nucleus
Atoms in their stable state are neutral; its number of protons and
electrons are equal. The mass of an atom is solely due to the mass
of the proton and neutron.
The protons and neutrons are referred as nucleons. The
nucleons which are tightly packed together, form the nucleus
within the center of the atom. Thus, much of the mass of an atom
nucleus..
is concentrated at the nucleus
The atom, the basic building block of matter, is primarily composed of three
subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

The Main Subatomic Particles:

Protons and neutrons reside together in the atom's tiny, dense, positively charged
center called the nucleus.

Mass and Size: Protons and neutrons have similar masses, making up nearly all of
the atom's mass. The nucleus, however, occupies only a minuscule fraction of the
atom's total volume.

Charge: The proton has a positive electrical charge (+1 elementary charge), while the
neutron is electrically neutral (0 charge).

Atomic Identity: The number of protons defines the atomic number (Z) of an atom,
which in turn determines the chemical element. Atoms of the same element can
have different numbers of neutrons; these variations are called isotopes.

Nuclear Force: Protons, despite their mutual electrical repulsion (like charges
repel), are held together in the nucleus by the strong nuclear force, which is one of
the four fundamental forces and is much stronger than the electromagnetic force
over short distances.

Electrons
Electrons orbit the nucleus in a probabilistic region called the electron cloud or
orbitals.

Mass and Size: Electrons are far less massive than protons or neutrons (about
1/1836 the mass of a proton), but the electron cloud determines the overall size of the
atom.

Charge: The electron has a negative electrical charge (−1 elementary charge), which
is equal in magnitude to the proton's positive charge.

Neutral Atoms and Ions: In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the
number of protons, balancing the charges. An atom that has gained or lost electrons
is called an ion.

Chemical Behavior: The arrangement and number of electrons, particularly those

in the outermost shell, determine how an atom interacts with other atoms,
governing the atom's chemical properties and bonding.
 In summary, atoms are made up of smaller units called
subatomic particles, namely protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Electrons (e⁻) were discovered in 1897 and are negatively charged

particles that move around the nucleus. They have a very small mass but
occupy most of the atom’s volume. A special group of electrons called
valence electrons determines how elements form chemical bonds

Protons (p⁺) were discovered in 1919 and are positively charged particles
found in the nucleus. They are about 2,000 times heavier than electrons.
The number of protons, also known as the atomic number, defines the
element and equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

Neutrons (n⁰), discovered in 1932, have no charge and are also located in
the nucleus. They act as “nuclear glue,” holding the protons together and
maintaining the stability of the nucleus. The number of neutrons can vary
in atoms of the same element, creating isotopes.

To calculate:
• Protons = Atomic number
• Electrons = Atomic number
• Neutrons = Mass number − Atomic number

Studying subatomic particles is important because they are the

building blocks of all matter. By understanding them, we learn how
atoms work and how different substances are formed. This knowledge
explains why materials have certain properties and how chemical
reactions occur. It also helps develop new technologies like
computers, nuclear energy, and medical equipment. In medicine, it is
used in treatments such as radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging.
Overall, studying subatomic particles helps us understand the
universe and the forces that hold everything together.
 Science Group 2

Drawings: Zac, Erin

What happened? ,Foreword: Gail
Objective, learning competency: Feline
Activites ( first part) - Gail
What to learn: All
Act 1: Erin
Act 2: Zac
Act 3: Feline
Sources: All
Credits: Gail
Synopsis: Feline
Members: Mary Cansien Feline Babiera, Clarrise Gail
Cruz, Zacariah Clemente, Erin Keihl Pan