Atomic Structure

Elements and atoms

Every substance in our world is made up of chemical elements that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

An example of the 3 most common elements in the world are:

Hydrogen(H)

Helium(He)

Oxygen(O)

Atomic structure refers to the structure of atom comprising a nucleus (center) in which the protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral) are present. The negatively charged particles called electrons revolve around the center of the nucleus.

John Dalton, an English chemist and meteorologist, is credited with the first modern atomic theory based on his experiments with atmospheric gases.

In atomic physics, the Bohr model or Rutherford–Bohr model, presented by Niels Bohr and Ernest Rutherford in 1913, is a system consisting of a small, dense nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons—similar to the structure of the Solar System, but with attraction provided by electrostatic forces in place of gravity.

Proton(+)

A proton is a subatomic particle, symbol p or p⁺ , with a positive electric charge of +1e elementary charge and a mass slightly less than that of a neutron. Protons and neutrons, each with masses of approximately one atomic mass unit, are collectively referred to as "nucleons".

Electron(-)

The electron is a subatomic particle, symbol e⁻ or β⁻ , whose electric charge is negative one elementary charge. Electrons belong to the first generation of the lepton particle family, and are generally thought to be elementary particles because they have no known components or substructure.

Neutron( )

The neutron is a subatomic particle, symbol n or n⁰ , which has a neutral charge, and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton. Protons and neutrons constitute the nuclei of atoms.

Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different nucleons.

Video for deeper explanation

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