Structure of an Atom

What is an atom:
An Atom is the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist.

Components:
It mainly consists of 3 components that you need to know at your
level.

 Protons (positively charged)

 Neutrons (no charge)
 Electrons (negatively charged)

Nucleus:

Most of the atom is empty except the centre, which contains the
nucleus. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons held together by
intermolecular forces. Since there are only positive charges in the
nucleus, its overall charge is positive.

Electron shells:

The negatively charged particles called electrons revolve around

these positive charges in the nucleus. They are arranged and move in
specific orbits called electron shells.
The arrangement of these is usually based on the capacity of a
particular orbit. The 1st orbit has a capacity of 2, the 2nd of 8, the 3rd
of 18 continuing in a series.

If the outer shell of an atom has reached its full capacity, we consider
THAT atom to be stable or unreactive as it CANNOT gain or lose
electrons. This configuration is usually of 8 in the outer shells.

Relative Masses of components:

Protons and Neutrons have a relative mass of 1 each. The electron’s

mass is very small and negligible compared to protons and neutrons
and hence we can consider it to be 0.

Deduction of charges:

Since neutrons are neutral, charges on atoms can be deduced by

counting the number of protons and electrons and the remaining
value, positive/negative is the charge. Example 18 electrons and 17
protons would yield a charge of -1 or 1-.
Food for Thought:

There has been further research into atomic chemistry and smaller
particles such as quarks and gluons have been found. One can
research on this to understand the nature of these tiny particles as
quite complex entities within themselves.