Understanding Atoms: The Building Blocks of Everything

Atoms are tiny particles that make up everything around us. They are made of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Let’s break down each part.

1. Protons:

• Charge: Positive (+1)
• Weight: About 1.007 atomic mass units (u)
• Location: Inside the nucleus (the center of the atom)
• Job: Protons decide what element an atom is. For example, if an atom has 1 proton, it is hydrogen.

2. Neutrons:

• Charge: Neutral (0), which means they have no charge
• Weight: About 1.008 atomic mass units (u)
• Location: Also found in the nucleus
• Job: Neutrons help add to the atom’s weight and keep the nucleus stable. They stop protons from pushing away from each other.

3. Electrons:

• Charge: Negative (-1)
• Weight: Very tiny at about 0.0005 atomic mass units (u)
• Location: Surrounding the nucleus in what we call the electron cloud
• Job: Electrons are involved in chemical reactions. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.

How They Work Together:

• Protons and neutrons stick together in the nucleus because of a strong force. This force keeps them from pushing apart despite the fact that protons repel each other.
• Electrons are attracted to protons because of their opposite charges. This attraction helps keep the atom in balance.

This balance is what allows atoms to interact and form all the different substances we see in the world!