Atomic Structure
- All substances are made of tiny particles of matter called atoms which are the building blocks of all matter
- Each atom is made of subatomic particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons
- The protons and neutrons are located at the centre of the atom, which is called the nucleus
- The electrons move very fast around the nucleus in orbital paths called shells
- The mass of the electron is negligible, hence the mass of an atom is contained within the nucleus where the protons and neutrons are located
The structure of the Carbon atom
Examiner Tip
The atom is the smallest part of an element that exists even though it can be divided into smaller particles. The atom is the smallest part as it retains the properties of the element while the subatomic particles do not.