1.1.1
Atomic Model
Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
Atomic Model - Example
An atom has a small, positively-charged nucleus surrounded by orbiting negatively-charged electrons.
Size of Atoms vs Nucleus
Atoms have a radius of about 1 × 10-10 metres. However, the nucleus of atoms are even smaller.
Atoms
- If an atom was the size of Wembley Stadium, then...
Nucleus
- ...its nucleus would be the size of a garden pea!
The Charges and Masses of Sub-Atomic Particles
The 3 different sub-atomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons) have different relative charges and masses. Atoms have no overall charge (are neutral). In an atom, these charges all cancel each other out.

Protons
- Protons have a relative charge of +1.
- In SI units, this is +1.60 × 10-19C.
- They are found in the nucleus.
- An element’s atomic number is the number of protons it possesses.
- All atoms of the same element have the same number of protons.
- Protons have a relative atomic mass of 1.
- In SI units, this is 1.67 × 10-27kg.

Electrons
- Electrons have a relative charge of -1.
- In SI units, this is -1.60 × 10-19C.
- They are found in fixed orbits around the nucleus.
- In any atom, the total number of negative electrons equals the number of positive protons, meaning atoms have no overall electric charge.
- Electrons have a relative atomic mass of 1/2000.
- In SI units, this is 9.11 × 10-31kg.

Neutrons
- Neutrons have a relative charge of 0 - they are neutral.
- Like protons, they are found in the nucleus.
- Neutrons have a relative atomic mass of 1 (the same as a proton).
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.2Properties of Substances
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Jump to other topics
1Principles of Science I
1.1Structure & Bonding
1.2Properties of Substances
1.3Cell Structure & Function
1.4Cell Specialisation
1.5Tissue Structure & Function
1.6Working with Waves
1.7Waves in Communication
2Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques
3Science Investigation Skills
3.1Scientific Processes
3.2Data Handling & Analysis
3.3Enzymes in Action
3.4Diffusion
3.5Plants & Their Environment
3.6Energy Content in Fuels
4Principles of Science II
4.1Extracting Elements
4.2Relating Properties to use of Substances
4.3Organic Chemistry
4.4Energy Changes in Industry
4.5The Circulatory System
4.6Ventilation & Gas Exchange
4.7Urinary System
4.9Thermal Physics
4.10Materials
5Contemporary Issues in Science
5.1Contemporary Issues in Science
5.2Analysing Scientific Information
Practice questions on Atomic Model
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- 1What is the charge of an atom's nucleus?Multiple choice
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