SCIENCE FORM 4

CHAPTER 4: MATTER AND SUBSTANCE

4.2 ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Structure of an atom

The atom is natural because the number of protons (positively charged) and the number of

electrons (negatively charged) in the atom is the same

The atom form an ion (a charged atom) when the number of protons and the number of

electrons are not the same.

If the number of protons is more than the number of electrons, the ion formed is positively

charged.
If the number of electrons is more than the number of protons, the ion formed is negatively
charged.

4.3 PROTON NUMBER AND NUCLEON NUMBER

PROTON NUMBER

Proton number = the number of protons in the atom

In a neutral atom, Proton number = Number of electrons

NUCLEON NUMBER

Is a total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

Nucleon number = Number of protons + Number of neutrons

ELEMENT
HYDROGEN
HELIUM

SYMBOL
1
1
4
2

PROTON

NUCLEON

NUMBER OF

NUMBER OF

NUMBER OF

NUMBER

NUMBER

PROTONS

ELECTRONS

NEUTRONS

He

CARBON
NITROGEN

12
14
7

OXYGEN
FLUORINE
NEON

8
19
9

F
20

10