-
Atoms are the basic building
blocks of matter that make up everyday objects. A desk,
the air, and even people are made up of billions and billions
of atoms. Look at the tip of a pencil. It contains an
universe made of atoms. It is quite amazing when you think
about it.
-
There are three parts of an atom: Electrons,
Protons and Neutrons.
-
Electrons have a negative
charge. They are smaller and more numerous than the bigger
protons and neutrons. Electrons are found in clouds that
surround the nucleus of an atom.
-
Protons are positive
and are located in the nucleus of an atom
-
Neutrons have no charge
because they are neutral.
-
Nucleus: Is the center
of an atom and it is made up of protons and neutrons connected
through bonds. It is the only solid part of the atom.
-
There are 90 naturally occurring kinds of
atoms. These different types of atoms are called chemical
elements (a pure chemical substance consisting
of one type of atom). Click
to see the Periodic Table and see how many protons,
electrons and neutrons each atom needs.
-
Scientists in labs have been able to make
atoms but they are generally unstable and radioactive.
Here are 17 man-made atomic elements: Lawrencium, Rutherfordium,
Dubnium, Seaborgium, Bohrium, Hassium, Meitnerium, Neptunium,
Plutonium, Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium,
Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium and Nobelium.
-
Molecules form when an
electrically neutral group of two or more atoms stick
together (by covalent chemical bonds). For example, when
two hydrogen atoms bond (stick to) with one oxygen atom
you get water (H20).
Think about it!
Atoms, the building blocks of life, have an
equal amount of negative electrons and positive protons. Think
about all the things in life that balance. Like hot and cold.
|
