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| − | An Atom is an extrememly small structure, all ordinary matter is made up of it. It has 3 types of sub-atomic particles - |
+ | An '''Atom''' is an extrememly small structure, all ordinary [[matter]] is made up of it. It has 3 types of sub-atomic particles - |
'''[[Electron]]s''' - carry a negative charge and there are always the same number as protons, they orbit around the nucleus |
'''[[Electron]]s''' - carry a negative charge and there are always the same number as protons, they orbit around the nucleus |
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Revision as of 13:11, 4 June 2005
An Atom is an extrememly small structure, all ordinary matter is made up of it. It has 3 types of sub-atomic particles -
Electrons - carry a negative charge and there are always the same number as protons, they orbit around the nucleus
Protons - These carry a positive charge and are arranged in the centre of the atom, the nucleus, with neutrons. The number of protons defines which element the atom is.
Neutrons - These are particles with no overall charge that are sited in the nucleus, atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are known as different isotopes.
Atoms can form into molecules by either sharing electrons (covalent bonds) or electrically bonding together (ionic bonds). The subatomic particles of an atom are made of quarks each held together by a gluon.