4.1.3

Sub-Atomic Particles

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The Charges of Sub-Atomic Particles

The 3 different sub-atomic particles (protons, neutrons and electrons) have different relative charges. Atoms have no overall charge (are neutral). In an atom, these charges all cancel each other out.

Illustrative background for Protons (+1)Illustrative background for Protons (+1) ?? "content

Protons (+1)

  • Protons have a relative charge of +1.
  • 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.
Illustrative background for Electrons (-1)Illustrative background for Electrons (-1) ?? "content

Electrons (-1)

  • Electrons have a relative charge of -1.
  • 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.
Illustrative background for Neutrons (0)Illustrative background for Neutrons (0) ?? "content

Neutrons (0)

  • Neutrons have a relative charge of 0 - they are neutral.
  • Like protons, they are found in the nucleus.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

5.1Basics of Motion

5.2Forces

5.3Effects of Forces

5.4Pressure

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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