Particles in the atom

Introduction to the atom

Everything you see around you, from the garri you eat to the petrol in a generator, is made of tiny building blocks called atoms. Even though atoms are very small, they are made up of even smaller parts called sub-atomic particles.

Think of an atom like a boiled egg. The yolk in the middle is like the nucleus, and the white part around it is like where the electrons stay. These tiny particles give the atom its weight and its charge.

Basically, they are the small parts inside an atom that decide how it behaves.

The Proton

The proton is found inside the center of the atom, which we call the nucleus. It has a positive charge, like the plus sign on a car battery. Because it is heavy, it contributes to the mass of the atom.

In simple terms, a proton is the 'positive' heavy part in the middle of the atom.

The Neutron

The neutron is also inside the nucleus, staying right next to the proton. It is like a 'neutral' person who does not take sides in a fight; it has no charge at all. It is slightly heavier than a proton.

Simply put, a neutron is the heavy part in the middle that has no electric charge.

The Electron

The electron is the tiny particle that moves very fast around the nucleus, just like an okada racing around a roundabout. It has a negative charge and is so light that we often say its mass is almost zero.

You can think of an electron as a very light, fast-moving negative charge outside the nucleus.

Summary of properties:

Protons: Positive charge (+1), mass of 1 unit, located in the nucleus.

Neutrons: Neutral charge (0), mass of 1 unit, located in the nucleus.

Electrons: Negative charge (-1), mass of 1/1840 units, located in shells around the nucleus.

Calculation of particles in an atom:

1. Identify the Atomic Number (Z), which is the number of protons.

2. In a neutral atom, the number of Electrons is equal to the number of protons.

3. Identify the Mass Number (A), which is Protons + Neutrons.

4. Subtract the Atomic Number from the Mass Number to find the number of Neutrons (A - Z).

Worked Example:

An atom of Sodium has an atomic number of 11 and a mass number of 23. Calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Step 1: Protons = Atomic Number = 11.

Step 2: Since it is neutral, Electrons = Protons = 11.

Step 3: Neutrons = Mass Number - Atomic Number = 23 - 11 = 12.

Final answer: 11 protons, 11 electrons, and 12 neutrons.