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| This is a simple diagram of an atom. Blue: Proton Purple: Neutron Green: Electron |
In order to understand how our universe works, we need to understand how the fundamental building blocks of everything work.
Atoms, from the Greek word 'Atomos', is the smallest unit of matter.
Every state of matter- Solid, Liquid, Gas or Plasma- consists of millions of atoms.
Every atom consists of three 'subatomic' particles: Protons, Neutrons and Electron - remember the names of these!
In the center of the atom, we have the Nucleus which consists of Protons and Neutrons.
REMEMBER - The number of Protons, Neutrons and Electrons depends on the type of atom it is.
For example, a Hydrogen atoms has one of each subatomic particle and Iron has twenty six of each.
Orbiting the Nucleus (which is completely different from the type of Nucleus that you'd find in a cell), is the Electron.
Each subatomic particle has a different charge:
Covalent Bonding
Did you know that Atoms can bond with each other in ways to give them a full outer shell of Electrons?
Take water, for example- H20.
Water contains two Hydrogen atoms which have only one Electron on the outer shell- they want to gain one Electron to have a full shell of two.
Water also contains one Oxygen atom that has a full first shell of two electrons and an outer shell of six electrons.
In order for it to have a full outer shell of eight electrons, it needs to gain two.
So that's the end of this blog.
For example, a Hydrogen atoms has one of each subatomic particle and Iron has twenty six of each.
Orbiting the Nucleus (which is completely different from the type of Nucleus that you'd find in a cell), is the Electron.
Each subatomic particle has a different charge:
- The Proton has a positive charge (P+)
- The Neutron has no charge
- The electron has a negative charge (E-)
The number of Protons in an atom is always equal to the number of Electrons - making the overall charge of the atom neutral.
So, those are the basics of the atom.
Electron Configuration
Atoms all have a number of "shells" that orbit the Nucleus of an atom which are where Electrons can be found.
The first shell of the atom can hold a total of two electrons.
The second shell can hold a total of eight electrons.
The third shell can hold up to eighteen electrons.
So, those are the basics of the atom.
Electron Configuration
Atoms all have a number of "shells" that orbit the Nucleus of an atom which are where Electrons can be found.
The first shell of the atom can hold a total of two electrons.
The second shell can hold a total of eight electrons.
The third shell can hold up to eighteen electrons.
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| A Carbon atom, with electron configuration: 2 , 4 |
Covalent Bonding
Did you know that Atoms can bond with each other in ways to give them a full outer shell of Electrons?
Take water, for example- H20.
Water contains two Hydrogen atoms which have only one Electron on the outer shell- they want to gain one Electron to have a full shell of two.
Water also contains one Oxygen atom that has a full first shell of two electrons and an outer shell of six electrons.
In order for it to have a full outer shell of eight electrons, it needs to gain two.
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| A Water molecule with Oxygen in the middle with a Hydrogen either side. |
So that's the end of this blog.
I hope that you found the information here very informative.
Please comment and Share.
-Ryan Titmuss
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