Introduction to the Atom
Saylor Academy・2 minutes read
Chemistry explores the concept of the atom, initially believed to be the smallest unit of matter. Modern understanding reveals atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, with the nucleus containing most of the atom's mass and electrons contributing minimally.
Insights
- Philosophers initially conceptualized the atom as the smallest, indivisible unit of matter, representing the fundamental building block of all substances.
- Modern chemistry reveals that atoms consist of neutrons, protons, and electrons, with the nucleus containing the majority of an atom's mass, while electrons contribute minimally. This challenges the traditional planetary model of electron orbits and emphasizes the importance of understanding atoms through quantum mechanics and probability distributions.
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Recent questions
What are atoms made of?
Neutrons, protons, electrons.
How do electrons behave in an atom?
Described by orbitals, not orbits.
What determines the identity of an element?
Number of protons (atomic number).
What is the mass primarily concentrated in an atom?
Nucleus.
What are isotopes?
Different versions of the same element.
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