Atomic Structure

• Atomic Structure:

  • Atoms are the building blocks of all matter
  • Atoms have a tiny, dense, positively charged nucleus at their centre, with negatively charged electrons orbiting around the nucleus
•  Structure of a Lithium atom:

  
• Parts of the Atom:

  • The nucleus contains:
  • Protons - positively charged particles with a relative atomic mass of one unit
  • Neutrons – no charge, and also with a relative atomic mass of one unit
  • Almost all of the atom is empty space, but moving around the nucleus there are:
  • Electrons – negative charge with almost no mass (1/2000 the mass of a proton or neutron)
• Size of Atoms & Molecules

  • Atoms are incredibly small, with a radius of only 1 × 10-10 m