Fundamental particles of an atom
Subatomic particles
Protons
A proton is a subatomic particle that carries a positive electrical charge. It's found in the
nucleus of every atom, along with neutrons.
Charge: +1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs (also known as the elementary charge)
Mass: 1.6726 x 10^-27 kg (approximately 1836 times heavier than an electron)
Location: Nucleus of an atom
Composition: Made up of three quarks (two up quarks and one down quark)
Role: Contributes to the atom's atomic mass and overall positive charge
Protons are essential for the stability of atoms and the formation of molecules. The number
of protons in an atom's nucleus determines its atomic number and defines what element it is.
The discovery of protons is credited to Ernest Rutherford (1917)
Neutrons
A neutron is another type of subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. Unlike
protons, neutrons have no electrical charge, making them neutral.
Charge: 0 (neutral)
Mass: 1.6749 x 10^-27 kg (slightly heavier than a proton)
Location: Nucleus of an atom
Composition: Made up of three quarks (one up quark and two down quarks)
Role: Contributes to the atom's atomic mass and stability
Neutrons play a crucial role in holding the nucleus together. They act as a kind of "glue"
between protons, which repel each other due to their positive charges. The number of
neutrons in an atom's nucleus can vary, leading to different isotopes of the same element.
The discovery of neutrons is credited to Sir James Chadwick (1932)
Electrons
An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electrical charge. It's much
smaller than protons and neutrons and orbits the atom's nucleus in a cloud-like region called
the electron shell.
Subatomic particles
Protons
A proton is a subatomic particle that carries a positive electrical charge. It's found in the
nucleus of every atom, along with neutrons.
Charge: +1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs (also known as the elementary charge)
Mass: 1.6726 x 10^-27 kg (approximately 1836 times heavier than an electron)
Location: Nucleus of an atom
Composition: Made up of three quarks (two up quarks and one down quark)
Role: Contributes to the atom's atomic mass and overall positive charge
Protons are essential for the stability of atoms and the formation of molecules. The number
of protons in an atom's nucleus determines its atomic number and defines what element it is.
The discovery of protons is credited to Ernest Rutherford (1917)
Neutrons
A neutron is another type of subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. Unlike
protons, neutrons have no electrical charge, making them neutral.
Charge: 0 (neutral)
Mass: 1.6749 x 10^-27 kg (slightly heavier than a proton)
Location: Nucleus of an atom
Composition: Made up of three quarks (one up quark and two down quarks)
Role: Contributes to the atom's atomic mass and stability
Neutrons play a crucial role in holding the nucleus together. They act as a kind of "glue"
between protons, which repel each other due to their positive charges. The number of
neutrons in an atom's nucleus can vary, leading to different isotopes of the same element.
The discovery of neutrons is credited to Sir James Chadwick (1932)
Electrons
An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electrical charge. It's much
smaller than protons and neutrons and orbits the atom's nucleus in a cloud-like region called
the electron shell.
