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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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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).
Jump to other topics
1

Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

1.4

Cell Specialisation

1.5

Tissue Structure & Function

1.6

Working with Waves

1.7

Waves in Communication

2

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3

Science Investigation Skills

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.6

Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7

Urinary System

4.8

Cell Transport

4.9

Thermal Physics

4.10

Materials

4.11

Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

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