Atoms | What are They? What are Protons, Neutrons and Electrons?

ViralEd
1 Jan 201806:16
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis educational video delves into the fundamentals of atomic structure, explaining what an atom is and its composition of neutrons, protons, and electrons. It highlights the significance of the atomic nucleus and electron shell, and how these relate to the element's position on the periodic table. The video also covers how to calculate subatomic particles, emphasizing the properties of mass and charge, and uses carbon as an example to illustrate the concepts of atomic number and atomic weight. It concludes with a reminder of the importance of understanding these basics for anyone studying chemistry.

Takeaways
  • 🌟 Atoms are the smallest particles of a chemical element that can exist, with a size of approximately 0.0000000001 cm.
  • πŸš€ An atom consists of three subatomic particles: neutrons, protons, and electrons.
  • 🧬 The electron shell, represented by white lines, is where electrons orbit around the nucleus.
  • πŸ’« The nucleus, the dense core at the center of an atom, contains protons and neutrons.
  • πŸ”‹ Protons have a positive charge and a mass of 1 atomic mass unit (amu), while neutrons are neutral with the same mass.
  • ⚑️ Electrons have a negative charge, almost negligible mass, and orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels.
  • πŸ“Š The periodic table uses element symbols, atomic numbers, and atomic weights to represent elements.
  • πŸ”’ The atomic number corresponds to the number of protons in an atom, which also equals the number of electrons in a neutral atom.
  • πŸ€Ήβ€β™‚οΈ The atomic weight (amu) of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons.
  • 🧩 To find the number of neutrons: mass number (atomic weight) minus the atomic number (number of protons).
  • πŸŽ“ Understanding the structure and properties of atoms is fundamental to grasping chemical reactions and the periodic table.
Q & A

  • What is an atom?

    -An atom is the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist, with a size approximately 0.0000000001 centimeters wide.

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

    -The three subatomic particles that make up an atom are neutrons, protons, and electrons.

  • What is the function of the electron shell in an atom's structure?

    -The electron shell is the region surrounding the nucleus where electrons are located and spread out in orbits.

  • What is the nucleus of an atom?

    -The nucleus is the dense core at the center of the atom, containing protons and neutrons.

  • How can you remember the charges of protons, neutrons, and electrons?

    -Protons have a positive charge (pro for positive), neutrons have a neutral charge (new for neutral), and electrons have a negative charge.

  • What does the atomic number represent?

    -The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom, which is also equal to the number of electrons in a neutral atom.

  • What is the atomic weight of an element?

    -The atomic weight of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in its nucleus.

  • How can you calculate the mass number of an element?

    -The mass number of an element can be calculated by adding the number of protons and the number of neutrons together.

  • How do you determine the number of neutrons in an atom if you only know the mass number?

    -To determine the number of neutrons, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the mass number.

  • What are the two sets of numbers and a letter in the chemical symbol of an element?

    -The letter is the element symbol, the top number is the atomic weight, and the bottom number is the atomic number.

  • Why are electrons not included in the calculation of atomic weight?

    -Electrons are not included in the calculation of atomic weight because they have almost zero mass compared to protons and neutrons.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ”¬ Introduction to Atoms and Subatomic Particles

This paragraph introduces the concept of atoms as the smallest particles of a chemical element that can exist, with a size of approximately 0.0000000001 centimeters. It explains that atoms are composed of three subatomic particles: neutrons, protons, and electrons. The structure of an atom is described, with electrons orbiting in the electron shell around the nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons. The paragraph also touches on the calculation of subatomic particles, emphasizing the properties of mass and charge for each particle type.

05:02
πŸ“Š Understanding Atomic Structure and Calculation

The second paragraph delves deeper into the atomic structure, explaining the role of protons, neutrons, and electrons with their respective masses and charges. It introduces the method of interpreting the chemical symbol of an element, highlighting the atomic weight and atomic number. The paragraph also presents equations used to calculate the mass number, the number of neutrons, and the atomic number, reinforcing the concept that an atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Atom
An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that retains the properties of that element. It is the fundamental building block of matter. In the context of the video, atoms are described as being incredibly small, with a width of approximately 0.0000000000001 centimeters. The video emphasizes the vast number of atoms that would be needed to stack up to the thickness of a crisp or a chip, which is equivalent to the height of Mount Everest, illustrating the minuscule scale of an atom.
πŸ’‘Subatomic Particles
Subatomic particles are the smaller constituents of an atom, which include neutrons, protons, and electrons. These particles form the structure of an atom, with electrons orbiting around the nucleus, which contains the neutrons and protons. The video explains that each subatomic particle has a mass and a charge, with protons being positively charged, neutrons neutral, and electrons negatively charged. Understanding these particles is crucial for grasping atomic structure and the periodic table.
πŸ’‘Nucleus
The nucleus is the dense core at the center of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons. It is where the majority of an atom's mass is concentrated. The nucleus is central to understanding atomic structure and the properties of elements, as the number of protons in the nucleus determines the element's identity. The video explains that electrons orbit around the nucleus, which is analogous to planets orbiting a star.
πŸ’‘Electron Shell
The electron shell is the region surrounding the nucleus of an atom where electrons are located. Electrons are organized into different energy levels or shells, with each shell having a specific capacity for electrons. The electron shell is crucial for understanding chemical reactions and bonding, as electrons in the outermost shell determine an element's chemical properties. The video describes the electron shell as the area where electrons spread out and orbit the nucleus.
πŸ’‘Atomic Number
The atomic number is a unique identifier for each element in the periodic table. It represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element. The atomic number determines the element's position in the periodic table and its chemical properties. The video explains that the atomic number is also equal to the number of protons and electrons in a neutral atom, which is why it is used to identify elements and their properties.
πŸ’‘Atomic Weight
The atomic weight of an element is the weighted average of all the isotopes of that element as they occur naturally. It is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. The atomic weight is used to express the mass of an element and is a critical concept in chemistry for understanding the composition of molecules and compounds. The video explains that the atomic weight is calculated by adding the mass of protons and neutrons, with electrons being almost massless and thus not included in the calculation.
πŸ’‘Periodic Table
The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, organized by their atomic number, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. It is a fundamental tool in chemistry, providing a systematic way to understand and predict the behavior of elements. The video mentions the periodic table in the context of identifying elements and their atomic numbers and weights, which are essential for understanding atomic structure and chemical reactions.
πŸ’‘Chemical Elements
Chemical elements are the fundamental substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Each element is defined by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. The video emphasizes that atoms, which are the smallest particles of elements, are the focus of the educational content, and understanding the structure and properties of atoms is crucial for grasping the nature of elements.
πŸ’‘Chemical Formulas
Chemical formulas are symbolic representations of theζ―”δΎ‹ of atoms in a molecule or compound. They provide information about the elements present and their proportions. In the video, chemical formulas are used to illustrate how elements combine to form compounds, with the example of CO2 representing carbon dioxide, where 'C' stands for carbon and 'O' for oxygen.
πŸ’‘Charge
Charge refers to the property of subatomic particles that can be positive, negative, or neutral. The charge of a particle influences its behavior in chemical reactions and electrical interactions. In the context of the video, the charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons is crucial for understanding atomic structure and the electrical properties of materials. The video explains that protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge.
πŸ’‘Mass
Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, often related to its weight. In the context of atoms and subatomic particles, mass is used to describe the relative amount of matter in protons, neutrons, and electrons. The video explains that protons and neutrons have significant mass, while the mass of electrons is so small it is almost negligible. Mass is a key factor in calculating the atomic weight of an element.
Highlights

Atoms are the smallest particles of a chemical element that can exist.

An atom is about 0.0000000000001 centimeters wide.

A stack of atoms equivalent to the thickness of a crisp would equal the height of Mount Everest.

Atoms consist of three smaller particles: neutrons, protons, and electrons.

The electron shell is the area surrounding the nucleus where electrons orbit.

The nucleus is the dense core at the center of the atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Each subatomic particle has a mass and a charge.

Protons have a positive charge and neutrons are neutral.

Electrons have almost zero mass and carry a negative charge.

The charge mnemonic: 'Pro' for positive, 'Ne' for neutral, 'Electron' for negative.

The periodic table uses element symbols and atomic numbers to represent elements.

The atomic number indicates the number of protons in an atom.

The atomic weight is the sum of the protons' and neutrons' masses.

Electrons' negligible weight is not included in the atomic weight calculation.

The mass number equals the sum of protons and neutrons.

The number of neutrons can be derived from the mass number minus the atomic number.

An atom always has the same amount of protons and electrons.

The chemical symbol is used in chemical formulas and equations.

Transcripts

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Atomic StructureSubatomic ParticlesChemical ElementsEducational ContentScientific ConceptsAtom CompositionPeriodic TableMass NumberAtomic WeightElectron Shell