An atom is present at the most basic level in everything we see around us. In fact, atoms compose every living organism. Matter makes up every non-living thing around us such as tables, chairs, water, etc. But the building blocks of matter are atoms. Thus, the composition of everything, living or non-living, is atoms. Let us study about atom and structure of atom.
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Atoms
Atom is a Greek word which means “indivisible.” The Greeks believed that matter can be broken down into very small invisible particles called atoms. Greek philosophers such as Democritus and John Dalton put forward the concept of the atom.
Democritus explained the nature of matter. He proposed that matter makes up all substances. Furthermore, he stated that atoms are constantly moving. They are invisible, minuscule particles that are different in shape, size, and temperature. And that we cannot destroy atoms.
Learn the concept of the Atomic number here in detail.
Later in the year 1808, John Dalton proposed the atomic theory. He explained the law of chemical combination. By the end of 18th and the early 20th centuries, many scientists developed and proposed several concepts on “atom.” Namely, J.J Thomson, Gold stein, Rutherford, and Bohr among others.
Atom is the smallest unit of matter. It consists of a positively charged center termed as “nucleus”. Also, negatively charged electrons surround the central nucleus. Even though an atom is the smallest unit of matter it retains all the chemical properties of an element. For example, silver atoms and a few other constituents make up a silver spoon. The tiny subatomic particles that compose a silver atom define the properties of the silver atom.
Atoms are further arranged and organized to form larger structures known as molecules. Atoms and molecules adhere to the general chemistry and physics rule even when they are part of living human body. Now let us study the structure of atom to further understand how the atoms react, behave and interact.
Learn more about Thomson’s Model of Atom in detail.
Structure of Atom
The structure of atom consists of two parts:
- an atomic nucleus
- extra nucleus part
The tiny atomic nucleus is the center of an atom. It constitutes positively charged particles “protons” and uncharged particles “neutrons.” On the other hand, the extra nucleus part is a much larger region. It consists of a cloud of negatively charged particles called an electron. Electrons revolve in orbit around the nucleus. The attraction between the protons and electrons holds the structure of atom together.
Learn how electrons are distributed in different shells in detail here.
Generally, all atoms except hydrogen consist of these three subatomic particles. Hydrogen is an exception to all atoms as it contains just one proton and one electron but lacks neutrons. The number of protons indicates what element an atom is. Whereas the number of electrons indicates the type of reactions that will happen in an atom.
The atomic nucleus in the structure of atom consists of a fixed number of protons. Also, the proton attracts the same number of electrons thereby making an atom electrically neutral. The addition or removal of electrons from an atom results in the formation of ions.
Learn about the Disadvantages of Rutherford’s Atomic Model here.
You can download Structure of Atom Cheat Sheet by clicking on the download button below
Discovery of an Electron
In the year 1897, a British Physicist named J.J Thompson proposed that an atom constitutes of at least one negatively charged particle. He named it “corpuscles” which was later called “electron.”
‘e’ represents an electron and it contributes to the negative charge of an atom. The absolute charge of an electron is the negative charge of 1.6×10-19 coulombs. The relative mass of an electron is 1/1836. Furthermore, the mass of an electron is 0.
Discovery of Proton
Proton was discovered by Rutherford when he conducted the famous gold foil experiment. In 1886 Goldstein discovered the presence of positively charged rays while experimenting with the discharged tube using perforated cathode. The rays were named as anode rays or canal rays. A series of experiments led to the discovery of protons. Protons are the particles that contribute to the positive charge of the atom.
“p” represents proton. The absolute charge of a proton is the positive charge of 1.6×10-19 coulomb. The mass of a proton is 1.6×10 -24 g and is considered 1 that is mass of a hydrogen atom.
Discovery of Neutron
The discovery of neutron didn’t happen until the year 1932. James Chadwick discovered the neutron. He used scattered particle to calculate the mass of the neutral particle. The subatomic particle “neutron” is present in an atom’s nucleus.“n” represents neutron. It is a neutral particle. The mass of a neutron is 1.6 x 10 -24 g.
Gram is not an appropriate unit for the calculation of such tiny subatomic particles. But Dalton or amu (atomic mass unit) is appropriate. Furthermore, protons and neutrons have a mass that is nearly 1 amu.
Learn more about Bohr’s Atomic Model here.
Solved Question for You
Question: What is the net charge of an atom?
Ans: There is no net charge of an atom. The charge of electrons is negative whereas the charge of protons is positive. The equal positive charge of the proton and the negative charge of the electron cancel each other. Therefore, the atom has no net charge. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons revolving around the nucleus and the number of protons inside the nucleus are equal in number.
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