Protons, Neutrons and Electrons Explained - what's the difference?

Tadashi Science
21 Dec 202204:23
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script delves into the roles of subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—within an atom. It explains how altering the number of protons changes an element's identity, while varying neutrons results in isotopes and changes in mass. Electrons, crucial for chemical reactivity and charge, transform atoms into ions when their numbers are altered. The script encourages viewers to revisit foundational concepts and explore further through related videos, aiming to enhance understanding of atomic structure and behavior.

Takeaways
  • 🌌 The atom is composed of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons, each with a distinct role.
  • 🔍 To fully understand subatomic particles, it's essential to review concepts like atoms, ions, and isotopes from previous videos.
  • 📝 A summary slide in the video lists the roles of the three subatomic particles, urging viewers to pause and note them down.
  • ⚛️ Changing the number of protons alters the element's identity, as the atomic number on the periodic table corresponds to the number of protons.
  • 🚫 The proton's positive charge repels other protons, and neutrons act as a buffer within the nucleus to prevent the atom from disintegrating.
  • 🪨 Neutrons contribute to the atom's mass and are crucial for creating isotopes when their number varies while keeping the element the same.
  • ⚡ Electrons, located in the electron cloud, are primarily responsible for an element's chemical reactivity and charge.
  • 🔄 The charge of an atom can be changed by altering the number of electrons, which can result in the formation of ions without changing the element's identity.
  • 🔢 The mass number of an atom is the sum of protons and neutrons, which helps in understanding isotopes when the neutron count varies.
  • 📚 Additional resources are available for learning how to calculate the number of subatomic particles in atoms and ions.
  • 📊 The video concludes with a chart reiterating the impact of changing protons, neutrons, and electrons on elements, isotopes, and ions.
  • 👍 Encouragement for viewers to like, subscribe, and comment for more science content and assistance on specific topics.
Q & A

  • What are the three subatomic particles that make up an atom?

    -The three subatomic particles are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

  • What role do protons play in defining an element?

    -Protons give the identity of the element. They are located in the nucleus and their number is the same as the atomic number found on the periodic table.

  • How does changing the number of protons affect an atom?

    -Changing the number of protons changes the identity of the element because the atomic number, which is unique to each element, is altered.

  • What is the function of neutrons in an atom?

    -Neutrons serve two roles: they act as a buffer between protons to prevent the nucleus from breaking apart due to repulsion, and they contribute to the mass of the atom.

  • How do neutrons contribute to the formation of isotopes?

    -Changing the number of neutrons changes the mass of the atom without altering its identity, thus creating different isotopes of the same element.

  • Where are electrons located within an atom?

    -Electrons are located outside the nucleus in the electron cloud.

  • What is the primary role of electrons in an atom's chemical reactivity?

    -Electrons are mainly responsible for an element's chemical reactivity and are the particles that change the charge of the atom.

  • How does changing the number of electrons affect an atom?

    -Changing the number of electrons changes the charge of the atom, which can turn it into an ion. Adding electrons results in a negative charge, while removing them results in a positive charge.

  • What is an ion according to the script?

    -An ion is an atom that has a charge, which is achieved by changing the number of electrons.

  • What is the significance of the atomic number in relation to protons?

    -The atomic number, which is found at the top of each square on the periodic table, represents the number of protons in an atom and is unique to each element.

  • How can one calculate the mass number of an atom?

    -The mass number of an atom is calculated by adding together the number of protons and neutrons.

  • What should one do if they need a refresher on concepts related to subatomic particles?

    -If one needs a refresher, they should check out videos on topics such as 'What is an Atom', 'Atom vs Ion', and 'Isotopes'.

Outlines
00:00
🌌 Introduction to Subatomic Particles

This paragraph introduces the concept of subatomic particles within the atom, emphasizing that atoms are not the smallest particles of matter and are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. It also encourages viewers to review related concepts from previous videos such as 'What is an Atom', 'Atom vs Ion', and 'Isotopes' for a better understanding. The paragraph concludes with a slide summarizing the roles of subatomic particles and their effects on the atom's properties, such as changing the element, creating isotopes, and forming ions.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Atom
An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains the properties of that element while being part of a chemical reaction. It is the central theme of the video, as the script discusses the components of an atom and their roles. For example, the script mentions that atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which are subatomic particles.
💡Subatomic Particles
Subatomic particles are smaller components that make up an atom. The video script delves into three specific subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles are essential to understanding atomic structure and the properties of elements.
💡Protons
Protons are subatomic particles with a positive electric charge located in the nucleus of an atom. They are crucial for determining the identity of an element, as the number of protons defines the atomic number. The script explains that changing the number of protons changes the element itself, as seen with oxygen having 8 protons and magnesium having 12.
💡Neutrons
Neutrons are neutral subatomic particles, also found in the nucleus of an atom. They serve to stabilize the nucleus by reducing the electrostatic repulsion between protons and contribute to the atom's mass. The script mentions that changing the number of neutrons results in different isotopes of the same element.
💡Electrons
Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus in what is often referred to as an electron cloud. They play a significant role in chemical reactivity and are responsible for the charge of an atom. The script explains that changing the number of electrons can turn a neutral atom into an ion.
💡Element
An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, distinguished by its number of protons. The video script emphasizes that the identity of an element is determined by its proton count, which is why changing the number of protons changes the element.
💡Isotopes
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The script explains that isotopes are created when the number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus is changed, altering the mass without changing the element's identity.
💡Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons. The video script discusses how changing the number of electrons can create an ion, which is a charged particle, differentiating it from a neutral atom.
💡Atomic Number
The atomic number of an element is a number that represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. The script uses the atomic number to illustrate how the identity of an element is determined, with each element having a unique atomic number.
💡Mass Number
The mass number of an atom is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. The script explains that the mass number is used to calculate the total mass of an atom and that changing the number of neutrons affects the mass number, leading to the creation of isotopes.
💡Chemical Reactivity
Chemical reactivity refers to the tendency of a substance to engage in chemical reactions with other substances, which is largely influenced by the behavior of its electrons. The script points out that electrons, being in the outermost shell, are mainly responsible for an element's chemical reactivity.
Highlights

Atoms are composed of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Understanding the role of subatomic particles requires knowledge from previous videos on atoms, ions, and isotopes.

A slide summarizes the roles of the three subatomic particles in the atom.

Changing the number of protons alters the element's identity.

The number of protons is equal to the atomic number found on the periodic table.

Different elements have unique atomic numbers, indicating distinct proton counts.

Neutrons serve as a buffer between protons in the nucleus and contribute to the atom's mass.

Changing the number of neutrons results in isotopes of the same element with different masses.

Electrons are located in the electron cloud and are responsible for an element's chemical reactivity.

Electrons are the primary particles that change the charge of an atom, forming ions.

Adding or removing electrons changes the atom's charge without altering its elemental identity.

The video offers further educational content on calculating the number of subatomic particles in atoms or ions.

A chart is used to summarize the impact of changing the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons on an atom.

Changing the number of protons changes the element's identity.

Changing the number of neutrons creates isotopes by altering the atom's mass.

Changing the number of electrons turns the atom into an ion by changing its charge.

The video aims to enhance understanding of the roles of subatomic particles in the atom.

Encouragement to like, subscribe, and comment for more science content.

Transcripts

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Subatomic ParticlesAtomic StructureElement IdentityIsotope FormationIon CreationChemical ReactivityElectron CloudNuclear BufferAtomic NumberMass Number