Structure of the Atom

Essential Questions

• What are the tiny pieces of

the universe?
• What do you have in
common with your pencil?
 Read do not copy.
• It might surprise you to know that
clouds of Jupiter, your pencil, and you
have something in common. Much of
the universe is made up of particles so
small they cannot even be seen, called
atoms. There are particles even smaller
than atoms: protons, neutrons, and
electrons.
 What is an atom?
• Atom - the smallest piece of matter that
still retains the property of the element.
– For example, the element silver is
composed only of silver atoms and the
element hydrogen is composed only of
hydrogen atoms.
 What is the nucleus?
• Nucleus -
the small,
positively
charged
center of the
atom
 What is in the nucleus?
• The nucleus contains protons and
neutrons.
– Protons are particles that are positively
charged. They have an electrical charge of
1+.
– Neutrons are particles that do not have an
electrical charge.
– Protons and neutrons have about the
same mass
 What is an electron?
• Electrons are
particles with an
electrical charge
of 1-.
• Electrons have a
much smaller
mass than both
protons and
neutrons
Energy and the Chemistry of Life

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Building Blocks of Matter

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 Opposites Attract!
• Protons and electrons have opposite
charges so there is an attractive force
between them.
• There is a repulsive force between
protons and protons, and electrons
and electrons.
 Electron Cloud Model
• Electron Cloud is the area around the
nucleus of an atom where its electrons
are most likely found.
– The electron cloud is 100,000 times larger
than the diameter of the nucleus.
– Remember: electrons are constantly in
motion.
Electron Cloud
 Electron Cloud Model
• Picture the spokes on a moving bicycle
wheel. They are moving so quickly that
you can’t pinpoint any single spoke. All
you see is a blur that contains all of the
spokes somewhere within it. In the
same way the electron loud is a blur
containing all of the electrons
somewhere within it.
 Electron Cloud Model
• Scientists have determined that the
electron cloud is more than just a blur.
Each electron travels at an average
distance from the nucleus, depending
on its energy. These avg. distances are
referred to as energy levels. Energy
levels are areas of the cloud where the
electrons are more likely to be found.
Why objects are not solid

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 Video Quiz

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