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<h2 class="title">Structure of the Atom</h2>
<p>As a result of the work done by previous scientists on atomic models, scientists now have a good idea of what an atom looks like. This knowledge is important because it helps us to understand why <a data-lesson="materials" data-subject="chemistry" data-tutorial="classification-of-matter" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/chemistry/classification-of-matter/materials">materials</a> have different properties and why some materials <a data-lesson="energy-and-bonding-continued" data-subject="chemistry" data-tutorial="bonding-atomic-combinations" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/chemistry/bonding-atomic-combinations/energy-and-bonding-continued">bond</a> with others. Let us now take a closer look at the microscopic structure of the atom (what the atom looks like inside).</p>
<p>So far, we have discussed that atoms are made up of a positively charged <strong>nucleus</strong> surrounded by one or more negatively charged <strong>electrons</strong>. These <a data-lesson="orbital-shapes-and-valence-electrons" data-subject="chemistry" data-tutorial="chemistry-essential-ideas" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/chemistry/chemistry-essential-ideas/orbital-shapes-and-valence-electrons">electrons</a> <a data-lesson="energy-electron-bohr-orbit" data-subject="chemistry" data-tutorial="electronic-structure-of-atoms" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/chemistry/electronic-structure-of-atoms/energy-electron-bohr-orbit">orbit</a> the nucleus.</p>
<p>Before we look at some useful concepts we first need to understand what electrons, protons and neutrons are.</p>
<h2>The Electron</h2>
<p>The electron is a very tiny particle. It has a <a data-lesson="molar-mass" data-subject="chemistry" data-tutorial="quantitative-aspects-chemical-change" href="https://app.ulearngo.com/chemistry/quantitative-aspects-chemical-change/molar-mass">mass</a> of \(\text{9.11} \times \text{10}^{-\text{31}}\) \(\text{kg}\). The electron carries one unit of negative electric charge (i.e. \(-\text{1.6} \times \text{10}^{-\text{19}}\) \(\text{C}\)).</p>
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Structure of the Atom

Chemistry generally explores the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and reactions, and the use of such reactions to form new substances. 

Chemistry

Explore the essential ideas in chemistry, including the scientific method, laboratory skills and safety, states of matter, measurement uncertainty, models of the atom, electronic configurations, and more.


Structure of the Atom

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