From ‘I Don’t Get It’ to ''I Nail It''
Atomic Structure
Grade 10 SABIS
Nuclear Atom: A nuclear atom is an atom with subatomic particles and a nucleus. Most of it is empty space.
Atomic Boundaries: Atoms do not have specific boundaries.
Atomic Diameter: The atomic diameter is the distance between two adjacent nuclei. It is in the order of 10^-10 m and it is about 10^4 times the diameter of the nucleus.
Nuclear Diameter: The nuclear diameter is in the order of 10^-14 m.
Subatomic Particles: Subatomic particles are electrons, protons, and neutrons.
Atomic Nucleus: The atomic nucleus contains protons and neutrons (collectively known as nucleons).
Comparison Between Subatomic Particles:
Proton: +1 charge, 1 amu mass, located inside the nucleus.
Neutron: 0 charge, 1 amu mass, located inside the nucleus.
Electron: -1 charge, 1/1840 mass of 1 proton, located around the nucleus.
Nuclear Atom: In a nuclear atom, the number of positive protons is equal to the number of negative electrons.
Nuclear Charge: The nucleus is positively charged since it contains positive protons and neutral neutrons.
Atomic Mass: The mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus; electrons have negligible mass compared to the nucleus.
Neutrons: Neutrons help in binding the nucleus together (prevent protons from repelling each other).
Nuclei of Same Element: Nuclei of the same element have the same atomic number (# of protons) and the same nuclear charge
Nuclear Atom: Picture an atom as a tiny solar system. The nucleus is the sun, and the electrons are planets orbiting around it. But unlike our solar system, most of an atom is just empty space. It's like if the sun was in New York and the nearest planet was in Los Angeles!
Atomic Boundaries: Atoms are like social butterflies. They don't have specific boundaries and are always ready to interact with their neighbors. It's like being at a party where everyone is mingling freely.
Atomic Diameter: The atomic diameter is the distance between two adjacent atoms, like two friends standing shoulder to shoulder. It's incredibly small, about 10^-10 meters, which is a hundred million times smaller than the width of a human hair!
Nuclear Diameter: The nuclear diameter is even smaller, about 10^-14 meters. That's like comparing the size of a marble to the size of the Earth!
Subatomic Particles: Atoms are made up of even tinier particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. It's like a Lego set, where the individual pieces (subatomic particles) come together to build the final product (the atom).
Atomic Nucleus: The atomic nucleus is like the heart of the atom. It's where the protons and neutrons (collectively known as nucleons) live. It's the control center, holding the atom together and defining its identity.
Comparison Between Subatomic Particles:
Proton: Imagine protons as positive little suns residing in the nucleus.
Neutron: Neutrons are the peacekeepers of the atom. They have no charge and hang out in the nucleus, helping to keep the protons from pushing each other away.
Electron: Electrons are like speedy little planets orbiting the nucleus. They carry a negative charge and are incredibly light, with a mass about 1/1840 of a proton.
Nuclear Atom: In a nuclear atom, the number of positive protons is equal to the number of negative electrons. It's like a perfectly balanced seesaw, with the same weight on both sides.
Nuclear Charge: The nucleus carries a positive charge, thanks to the protons it houses. It's like a positive magnet at the center of the atom.
Atomic Mass: The mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus, just like a peach pit holds most of the peach's weight. Electrons are so light, their mass is almost negligible.
Neutrons: Neutrons are like the glue of the atom. They help hold the nucleus together and prevent the protons from repelling each other, just like a mediator in a heated debate.
Nuclei of Same Element: Nuclei of the same element have the same number of protons and the same nuclear charge. It's like having a unique ID or barcode that identifies each element.