![]() Glucose is shown in 3 different formats: (left to right): as a molecular formula, as a structural formula, and as a ball and stick diagram. This happens commonly with atoms of nonmetal elements. When an atom gains one or more electrons, it gains a net negative charge since it has more negatively-charged electrons than it has positively-charged protons. We see this happen often with metallic elements. ![]() Consequently, an atom that has lost electrons will have more positive charges than negative charges, since it will have more positively-charged protons than it has negatively-charged electrons. When an atom loses one or more electrons, it loses the negative charges associated with those electrons. ![]() (The ability of electrons to move from atom to atom is the basis of electricity). They can move both within an atom as well as from one atom to another. You see, while protons and neutrons are fixed within an atom, electrons are free to move. So what is an ion? An ion is an atom that has gained a net charge.īecause it has either gained or lost electrons. The positive and negative charges cancel each other out. A lithium atom has 3 protons contributing a charge of +3, but it also has 3 electrons contributing a charge of -3. In a neutral atom, the number of positively-charged protons and negatively-charged electrons is the same. Each proton is positively-charged, while each electron is negatively-charged.Įven though atoms are made up of charged particles, an atom as a whole carries no net charge. Two of the subatomic particles carry an electric charge. What’s the difference between an atom and an ion? What is the difference between an atom and an ion?Ītoms are made up of 3 subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. How did they do it? You can learn more here: They were created in the lab! Isn’t that incredible? Where did the other 24 elements come from? One fact that I love shocking my chemistry students with: of the 118 elements on the periodic table, only 94 are found in nature. Oxygen atoms have 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons. Oxygen is the 8th element on the periodic table. Hydrogen atoms* have 1 proton and 1 electron. Hydrogen is the 1st element on the periodic table. So every block you see on the periodic table represents a different element, and each element is a different type of atom. Each element represents a different type of atom. The periodic table lists the 118 known elements in the universe. In other words, there are 118 different types of atoms in the universe. ![]() To date, we know of 118 different elements, and these are what we see depicted on the modern periodic table. An element is a type of atomĪn element is a type of atom. Protons and neutrons are located in the center–or nucleus–of an atom, while electrons are in constant motion outside of the atom’s nucleus. Atoms are made up of smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. This is actually not the most accurate representation of what an atom looks like, but it serves my purpose here. You’ve likely seen a diagram of an atom represented as in the picture on the left. Protons and neutrons are found in the center–or nucleus–of an atom, while electrons are in constant motion outside of the atom’s nucleus. Today, I will tackle some chemistry terms that often lead to confusion as I explain the differences between atoms, elements, ions, molecules, and compounds.Īn atom is made up of smaller particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. To that end, I’m answering some common questions I’ve been asked about different science topics. I like to think of myself as a science ambassador, and my mission is to help people of all ages understand (and learn to love) science. One reason chemistry may seem hard to understand (or appreciate) is because it deals with atoms and molecules-objects indescribably small and hard to visualize.Ĭhemistry also comes with its own vocabulary, and many of the terms used in chemistry can be confusing. While it is true that understanding chemistry may not come as intuitively as understanding other science topics like biology, it is my belief that everyone is capable of learning chemistry if taught properly. In my opinion, people think they hate chemistry because they don’t understand it. After all, everything in the world is built on chemistry. Some even go as far as to say that they hate chemistry. In my many years as a science teacher, I’ve heard plenty of people complain about chemistry.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |