Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and the neutrons make up the nucleus (the center) of the atom. The electron lives outside the nucleus in an electron cloud and are way too small to see. Protons and neutrons are made up of smaller little particles, which are made of smaller little particles and so on. Atoms can have anywhere from only one proton and one electron (a hydrogen atom) to over 300 protons, neutrons and electrons in one atom. It is the number of protons that determines the kind of atom an atom is, or in other words, the kind of element that atom is. How many protons does Zinc have?
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2 Responses to “Atoms”

  1. We do! Check out Dec 2020 content in Live Classes. The Periodic Table is pretty complex, but we break it down into a few simple steps when we talk about atomic weight, atomic number, and general order and sequence of certain elements. I would also recommend the book recommendations for December as well (link on main Live Class page).

  2. theelkins5 says:

    I wish you had something simple to introduce atoms and periodic table to K-8th. I have searched the site, but the only information that comes up says it is for high school. I think it would be great to have a lighter introduction in the lower grades. We are going to do a superhero periodic table project, but I was hoping you had something on here that would easily explain what atomic weight and number etc.