Overview
Subatomic particles are the essential components of atoms, which are the building blocks of all matter. Understanding these particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—helps us grasp the fundamental principles of chemistry and physics. Protons and neutrons reside in the nucleus, while electrons orbit...
Key Terms
Example: An oxygen atom has 8 protons and 8 electrons.
Example: The number of protons determines the element's identity.
Example: Neutrons contribute to the atomic mass but not the charge.
Example: Electrons are involved in chemical bonding.
Example: Protons are made of two up quarks and one down quark.
Example: The nucleus is dense and positively charged.
Related Topics
Atomic Theory
The theory that matter is composed of discrete units called atoms.
intermediateNuclear Physics
The field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their interactions.
advancedQuantum Mechanics
The branch of physics that deals with the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels.
advancedKey Concepts
ProtonsNeutronsElectronsQuarks