Atom

An atom is the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element. It is made up of protons (positively charged), neutron (neutral charge), and electrons (negatively charged). The protons and neutrons together have a mass which equals the atomic number of the element and there is an equal amount of electrons as there are protons. An atom is about 10^-11 of a meter. If one could see what is going on inside an atom, they would see the protons and neutrons all mixed together in a ball in the middle while electrons circle around the outside.

What are the characteristics of electrons?

Charge: It is a negatively charged particle.

Magnitude of charge: Charge of electron is 1.6022 x 10^-19 coulomb.

Mass of electron: Mass of electron is 0.000548597 a.m.u. or 1.1 x 10^-31 kg.

·         Particle

·         Very small mass

·         Waves

·         Electrons bond

·         They are like light