Explanation of Atoms, Elements, and Molecular Structure
Atoms and Molecular StructureAn atom is the smallest unit of matter that still remains the properties of an element. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles; protons with a positive charge, electrons with a negative charge , neutrons with no charge, and an atomic nucleus at the center of the atom . The protons and neutrons will be close to the nucleus while the electrons will be in a cloud around the nucleus. A dalton is used to measure the masses of subatomic particles, the mass of a proton or a neutron is approximately one dalton. Protons determine the atomic number , atomic mass is the number of protons and neutrons, electrons determine what molecules the atom can bond to, and neutrons help form isotopes.
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ElementsAn element is a substance that cannot be broken down into other substances by chemical reactions. There are 92 naturally occurring elements, but we can synthesize them. Each element has its own symbol, these are what make up the periodic table. A compound is a substance that has two or more elements in a fixed ratio. Some elements are essential elements which means that they are necessary for living things, while trace elements are required by an organism but in smaller portions.
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