- Atoms are the smallest bits of matter and are composed of
particles called protons (which carry a positive electrical
charge), neutrons (which carry no electrical charge.ie,neutral) and
electrons (which carry a negative electrical charge). The protons
and neutrons cluster together in the central part of the atom,
called the nucleus, and the electrons 'orbit' the nucleus(means
revolve around the nucleus.That path is called orbit). A particular
atom will have the same number of protons and electrons and most
atoms have at least as many neutrons as protons.Atoms can join
together to form molecules, which in turn form most of the objects
around you
- An element is a substance that is made entirely from one type
of atom. For example, the element hydrogen is made from atoms
containing just one proton and one electron..
- The atomic number is the number of protons in an element, while
the mass number is the number of protons plus the number of
neutrons.
- The periodic table is listed by the atomic number.Atomic number
is usually represented by the symbol 'Z' .Actually we can call it
as the identity of an element.
- Mass number gives the atomic weight of the element.
Mass Numbers = (Number of Protons) + (Number of Neutrons)
It is represented by the symbol A