Atomic strucure

• Atomic structure


  Nucleus at the center of the atom, surrounded by shells (also known as energy levels) containing electrons
• Nucleus


  • Contains protons (red circles) and neutrons (blue circles)
• Shells/Energy levels


  Contain the electrons (green circles) which orbit the nucleus at set distances
• Subatomic particles


  • Protons
  • Electrons
  • Neutrons
• Proton


  Positively charged (+1)
• Electron


  Negatively charged (-1)
• Neutron


  Neutral (0 or no charge)
• The nucleus has an overall positive charge due to the positively charged protons
• Relative mass


  • Person = 1
  • Electron = 1/1836 (negligible)
  • Neutron = 1
• The mass is concentrated in the small, dense nucleus, with empty space between the electrons
• Energy levels


  Shells closest to nucleus are lowest energy, shells furthest away are highest energy
• Electrons orbit the nucleus at set distances in the energy levels/shells
• To summarise: nucleus at centre, shells/energy levels surround nucleus, protons and neutrons in nucleus, electrons in shells