Atoms

PowerPoint describing the basic structure of atoms. Geared toward Middle School science and technology classes.

1. Atoms
What are they and what do
they do?

2. Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms
What are atoms?
•Atomsare the smallest particles of matter
•Atomsmake up everything around us
•Molecules are combinations of atoms
•Elements are only one type of atom
•Compounds are made up of different types of atoms
Hydrogen
Gas
Water
2

3. What is the difference between atoms and elements?
Atomsmake up elements.
To be an element, it can ONLY have ONE type of atom.
The terms are often used interchangeably.
For example, the Periodic Table of the Elements could also be
written as the…
Periodic Table of Different Types of Atoms.
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms3
Atoms vs. Elements

4. What is an atom?
•Atomsare the smallest particles of matter.
What is an element?
•Elements are made up of only one type of atom.
What is a molecule?
•Molecules are combinations of atoms.
What is a compound?
Compounds are made up of different types of atoms.
What are some examples of these?
4 Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms
Let’s Recap

5. At the center of all atoms is the
Nucleus.
The nucleus contains protons
and neutrons.
Protons:(+)
Positivelycharged atomic particles
Neutrons:
Uncharged (neutral) atomic particles
What makes up an atom?
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms5
Components of an Atom

6. Orbiting around the nucleusare the
electrons.
Electrons: (-)
Negatively charged atomic
particles
Nature prefers balance so if a
particle is positively charged, it
will attract negatively charged
particles and vice-versa.
What makes up an atom?
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms6
Components of an Atom

7. Where would you find the following parts of an
atom and what is its charge?
Protons:
In the center of the atom
Positivecharge
Neutrons:
In the center of the atom
Uncharged
Electrons:
Orbiting the atom
Negativecharge
Recap
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms7
Components of an Atom

8. The atomic number is equal to the
number of protonsin the nucleus
of an atom.
The atomic number identifies
the element.
How many protonsare in
this nucleus?
(assume the protons are red)
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms8
Atomic Number

9. Periodic Table of Elements
Which element has 4 protons?
NASA
9 Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms

10. This course is titled “Magic of Electrons” and we
will focus mainly on the electrons present in an atom.
Why?
It is important to understand how and why electronsmove in
order to understand how electricityworks.
In the coming presentations we will cover the importance of
electrons and their importance.
Dan Kelly -Magic of Electrons -PLTW -Atoms10
Electrons