What are Atoms
What exactly is an atom?
An atom is the smallest thing that still counts as an element. It’s like the basic unit for everything
Which part of the atom has a positive charge?
The proton—it’s positive, like a plus sign.
Where are the protons and neutrons found?
They’re both in the nucleus, which is the center of the atom.
What’s the atomic number of oxygen?
8. That’s how many protons it has.
What’s a molecule?
It’s when two or more atoms stick together to make something new, like water.
Why do atoms matter so much?
Atoms make up all matter, so without them, nothing—like, not even air or water—would exist.
Which part doesn’t have any charge at all?
The neutron. It’s neutral, so it’s not positive or negative.
Where do the electrons go?
They fly around the nucleus in what’s called the electron cloud.
How many protons does oxygen have?
8 protons, always.
How do atoms join together to make molecules?
They bond by sharing or exchanging electrons.
What are the main things atoms are made of?
They’re made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Which part is negative and moves around the outside?
The electron. It’s negative and goes around the nucleus.
What is the nucleus?
It’s the middle part of the atom that holds the protons and neutrons.
How many electrons does a neutral oxygen atom have?
8 electrons, to balance out the protons.
What’s the difference between an atom and a molecule?
An atom is just one, but a molecule is a bunch of atoms connected together.
Who was the first person to say atoms existed (I think)?
Some philosopher named Democritus, way back in Greece.
Which part hardly weighs anything?
The electron. Its mass is so tiny it’s like almost zero.
If I show you a model, can you label the nucleus, proton, neutron, electron, and electron cloud?
Yeah, nucleus is the center, protons and neutrons are inside it, electrons are outside, and the cloud is where the electrons are.
What’s the symbol for oxygen?
Just “O”.
What atoms make up H₂O?
Two hydrogens and one oxygen.
What does the word “atom” mean?
It means “cannot be cut” or “indivisible” in Greek or something like that.
What do you call an atom if it gains or loses electrons?
That’s called an, pretty sure.
What does the number of protons tell you?
That’s the atomic number, which tells you what element it is. Like, oxygen always has 8 protons.
If oxygen has 9 neutrons, what’s that called?
That’s an isotope of oxygen. I think it’s called oxygen-17.
What do you call a molecule made of just two oxygen atoms?
That’s O₂, which is the oxygen gas we breathe.