Atoms

What are atoms?

Atoms are the smallest units of matter that make up everything in the universe. They are so small that we cannot see them with the naked eye. However, they are incredibly important because they determine the properties of all matter.

What are atoms made of?

Atoms are made of three main types of particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge. The protons and neutrons are located in the center of the atom, called the nucleus. The electrons orbit around the nucleus.

The number of protons determines the element.

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus determines the element of the atom. For example, an atom with one proton is hydrogen, an atom with two protons is helium.

The number of electrons determines the atom's charge.

The number of electrons in an atom determines the atom's charge. If an atom has more protons than electrons, it has a positive charge(catio). If an atom has more electrons than protons, it has a negative charge(anion). If an atom has the same number of protons and electrons, it is neutral.  

Atoms can bond together to form molecules.

Atoms can bond together to form molecules. Molecules are groups of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. Molecules are the building blocks of all compounds.