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  • Atomic Structure Vocabulary

atom
The smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element, consisting of a nucleus containing combinations of neutrons and protons and an electron cloud containing electrons.
proton
A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has a positive electric charge and it's mass is 1amu.
PROTONS IDENTIFY THE ELEMENT
Neutron
A subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom. It has a neutral electric charge and it's mass is 1amu.
electron
A subatomic particle found in the electron cloud, outside of the nucleus. It has a negative electrical charge and no mass.
nucleus
The small, dense region consisting of protons and neutrons at the center of an atom. The nucleus makes up the MASS of an atom.
Electron cloud
The region of negative charge surrounding an atom's nucleus. This is where the electrons are locate.
The electron cloud makes up the VOLUME of an atom.
Also called:
Electron shells, orbitals, or levels.
bohr model
This model shows that the electrons in atoms are in orbits of differing energy around the nucleus.
Each level can hold only so many electrons. In our class we will go up to 3 levels.
The first level (nearest the nucleus) can only hold 2 electrons.
The second level can hold up to 8 electrons.
The third level can hold up to 8 electrons.
In order to have an electron on the next shell, the current level must be completely filled.
valence electrons
The electrons on the outermost level of an atom. Valence electrons determine an element's reactivity and other chemical properties.
EX: In the Al atom in the image you can see that on the outermost ring there are 3 electrons. That tells you that Al has 3 valence electrons.
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