Question

Name the subatomic particles of the atom. Describe their charge, atomic mass, and location in the atom. (pages \(20-21\) ).

Short answer

The three main subatomic particles in an atom are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge (+1), an atomic mass of about 1 amu, and are located in the nucleus. Neutrons are neutral, have an atomic mass of about 1 amu, and are also located in the nucleus. Electrons have a negative charge (-1), a negligible atomic mass of approximately \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kg, and are located in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.

Step-by-step solution

1. Protons

Protons are one of the three main subatomic particles found in an atom. They have a positive charge (+1) and are located in the nucleus (center) of the atom. Protons have an atomic mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).

2. Neutrons

Neutrons are also one of the three main subatomic particles found in an atom. They have no charge (neutral) and are also located in the nucleus of the atom. Neutrons have an atomic mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu).

3. Electrons

Electrons are the third main subatomic particle found in an atom. They have a negative charge (-1) and are located outside the nucleus, in the electron cloud that surrounds the atom. Electrons have a very small atomic mass, approximately \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kg, which is so small compared to the mass of protons and neutrons that it is often considered negligible. Now you have learned about the three main subatomic particles: protons, which have a positive charge and are located in the nucleus; neutrons, which have no charge and are also found in the nucleus; and electrons, which have a negative charge and are located outside the nucleus in the electron cloud.

Key concepts

Protons

Atoms are the building blocks of matter, and within each atom are even smaller building blocks called subatomic particles. One key subatomic particle is the proton. Protons carry a positive electrical charge, symbolized as +1. This tiny particle’s home is in the nucleus, which is at the center of the atom. Protons are not alone in the nucleus, as we will discuss their neutral companions shortly.

In terms of atomic mass, protons pack a considerable punch. Each proton has a mass of about 1 atomic mass unit (amu). This mass is essential for determining the atom's overall mass and contributes significantly to the atom's weight. In some ways, you can think of protons as the identity card of an atom. The number of protons in an atom’s nucleus tells us which element it is, like carbon, oxygen, or gold. This number is called the atomic number and is fundamental to the periodic table of elements.

Neutrons

Neutrons are another critical player in the atom's core structure. Unlike protons, neutrons do not carry any electrical charge; they are neutral, which means they are not attracted or repelled by electrical fields. This makes them a unique component of the atom’s nucleus.

Just like protons, neutrons also have a mass of about 1 atomic mass unit (amu). Even though they don't influence the charge of the atom, they play a huge role in the atom’s stability. By having neutrons in the nucleus alongside protons, they effectively reduce the repulsion between positively charged protons, helping to keep the nucleus together.

When considering isotopes – which are versions of the same element with differing numbers of neutrons – neutrons come into their own. They help define the specific isotope of an element, which can have implications in various fields from medicine to energy production.

Electrons

While protons and neutrons hang out together in the dense nucleus, electrons have a very different role and location. Electrons are tiny and negatively charged particles that circle the atom’s nucleus in what is known as the electron cloud. Their charge is -1, perfectly balancing the positive charge of protons when they are in equal numbers.

Electrons are so light compared to protons and neutrons that their mass is often deemed negligible when calculating an atom's mass. Specifically, their mass is approximately \(9.11 \times 10^{-31}\) kg. Despite this, electrons are incredibly significant in the behavior and interaction of atoms. They occupy various energy levels and can jump between these levels, absorbing or releasing energy. These jumps and movements are fundamental to the way atoms interact in chemical reactions.

In terms of location, electrons aren't fixed in place like their nucleus-bound colleagues. Instead, they exist in probable zones known as orbitals, defining the boundaries of where an electron might be found around the nucleus at any given time. This movement and arrangement of electrons not only define the atom's behavior but also form the backbone of the entire field of chemistry.