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Atomic structure - OCR GatewayStructure of the atom

Atoms consist of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in shells. The numbers of particles in an atom can be calculated from its atomic number and mass number.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Particles

Structure of the atom

The typical size of atoms and small molecules is around 1 脳 10-10 m (0.1 nm). For example:

diameter of a hydrogen atom, H1.0 脳 10-10 m
width of a hydrogen molecule, H22.9 脳 10-10 m
length of an H-H bond0.74 脳 10-10 m
diameter of a hydrogen atom, H
1.0 脳 10-10 m
width of a hydrogen molecule, H2
2.9 脳 10-10 m
length of an H-H bond
0.74 脳 10-10 m

Nucleus and shells

An consists of:

  • a positively charged
  • surrounded by negatively charged
Carbon atom with the nucleus and an electron labelled
Figure caption,
The structure of a carbon atom, not drawn to scale

Compared to an atom as a whole:

  • the radius of the nucleus is much smaller than the radius of the atom
  • the nucleus contains almost all of the mass

Learn more on atomic structure in this podcast.

Subatomic particles

The of all atoms contain called and most also contain .

Structure of a carbon atom, with a proton, neutron and electron labelled
Figure caption,
The structure of a carbon atom, not drawn to scale

The of subatomic particles are very tiny. Instead of writing their actual masses in kilograms, we often use their . The relative mass of a proton is 1, and a particle with a relative mass smaller than 1 has less mass.

Protons and electrons have opposite electrical .

Subatomic particleRelative massRelative charge
Proton1+1
Neutron10
Electron0.0005-1
Subatomic particleProton
Relative mass1
Relative charge+1
Subatomic particleNeutron
Relative mass1
Relative charge0
Subatomic particleElectron
Relative mass0.0005
Relative charge-1