EL ÁTOMO Y SU ESTRUCTURA: NÚCLEO Y ZONA EXTRANUCLEAR
Introduction to Atoms and Their Structure
What is an Atom?
- An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that retains the properties of a chemical element. It consists of a nucleus and an electron cloud.
- The atomic structure includes subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Subatomic Particles
- The nucleus contains protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral charge). Electrons (negatively charged) orbit around the nucleus in high-speed levels.
- Protons were discovered by Rutherford, while electrons were identified by Thompson. Neutrons were discovered by Chadwick.
Charge Balance in Atoms