Scribd
Upload
306 views1 page

Atomic Structure

The atomic structure consists of a small, dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by a larger electron cloud. The nucleus contains all the atom's mass and is positively charged, while the electron cloud contains negatively charged electrons and makes up most of the atom's volume. Basic electrostatics dictate that opposite charges attract and identical charges repel, so protons and electrons attract while protons and electrons of the same type repel. Nuclear forces within the nucleus overcome the electrostatic repulsion of protons.

Uploaded by

Sk. Salahuddin Ahammad
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
306 views1 page

Atomic Structure

The atomic structure consists of a small, dense nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by a larger electron cloud. The nucleus contains all the atom's mass and is positively charged, while the electron cloud contains negatively charged electrons and makes up most of the atom's volume. Basic electrostatics dictate that opposite charges attract and identical charges repel, so protons and electrons attract while protons and electrons of the same type repel. Nuclear forces within the nucleus overcome the electrostatic repulsion of protons.

Uploaded by

Sk. Salahuddin Ahammad
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Atomic Structure

• Contains the electrons


• Makes up most of the volume of the atom
• Negatively charged (electrons are negative)
• Electrons are small and essentially have no
mass, so the electron cloud is mostly empty
space

• Contains the protons and neutrons


• Positively charged (positive protons, neutral
neutrons)
• Small
• Contains all of the mass of the atom
• Extremely dense

Mass
Basic Electrostatics:
Where Found Charge Number
Proton Opposite charges attract and identical charges repel
Nucleus +1 1
Neutron Ø Electrons and protons attract each other
Nucleus 0 1
Ø Protons repel other protons
Electron Electron Cloud -1 0
Ø Electrons repel other electrons
Ø Neutrons are neutral and should neither repel
nor attract any particles
Definitions
q Atom: the smallest particle of an element that retains the
properties of that element
q Atomic number: the number of protons in the nucleus of Nuclear Forces:
an atom Powerful short range forces in the nucleus that hold
q Mass number: the total number of protons and neutrons the nuclear particles (protons and neutrons) together.
in the nucleus of an atom These forces overcome the electrostatic repulsion of
q Isotopes: Atoms of the same element that differ in mass protons.
number (differing numbers of neutrons)

You might also like