Download Atomic Structure Notes

Atomic Structure
Atomic Structure
• Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter
that make up everyday objects. A desk, the air,
even you are made up of atoms!
Atomic Structure
• Atoms have protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Atomic Structure
• Atoms are made of a
nucleus (protons +
neutrons)
surrounded by
electrons. Atoms
are mostly empty
space.
Nucleus of an Atom
• The central part of the atom.
• Where almost all of the atom’s weight is.
Nucleus
Nucleus of an Atom
• Made of protons and neutrons.
• Protons are positively charged particles.
• Neutrons are particles about the same size as
protons, but they have no charge.
Nucleus
Electrons
• Electrons are negatively charged particles that
orbit around the nucleus.
• They travel in circles around the nucleus, similar to
the way planets orbit around the sun.
Electrons
• Up to two electrons go in the closest circle to the
nucleus.
• Up to eight electrons go in the next circle.
• Up to eight electrons go in the third circle.
• This is called the “octet” rule.
• The electrons in the shell farthest from the nucleus
are called valence electrons.