AQA

GCSE Physics (Single Science) PARTICLES

A Brief Introduction to Particles

Particles are a tiny bit of matter that make up everything in the universe.
They cannot split into smaller pieces because they are so miniscule, it is
virtually impossible. Examples of particles are protons, neutrons, electrons
(to name a few). Other particles can be created using machinery such as
particle accelerators and cosmic rays.

Atoms are the smallest type of particles which can be divided in certain
chemical reactions. An atoms consists of a small, heavy nucleus
surrounded by light cloud of electrons. There are different elements that
contain different types of atoms. Atoms were mentioned by a scientist
called John Dalton. Some of his theories and models were incorrect but
much of his early discoveries were improved over time by other scientists
who slowly came up with other theories.

Particles are often shown in the states of matter: The solid, liquids and
gases. The particle model of matter can be used to help describe the
densities of substances and the different states of matter. It says that
everything is made up of lots of tiny particles.

Figure 1: Particle Model of Matter

Copyright © All rights reserved. Document by Muhammad Choudhary