Atoms are made up of three main types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
- The protons and neutrons form the nucleus, which is the dense, positively charged center of the atom. Protons carry a positive electric charge, while neutrons have no charge.
- The electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in regions called electron clouds or shells. The attraction between the positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons holds the atom together.
- Most of the atom's mass is concentrated in the nucleus, while the electrons contribute very little to the overall mass.
- The number of protons in the nucleus defines the element, while the number of neutrons can vary, resulting in isotopes of that element. If the number of electrons differs from protons, the atom becomes an ion with a net charge.
In summary, atoms consist of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons that orbit the nucleus, all of which constitute the fundamental building blocks of matter.
