6 - Unit 1, Section 1 - Day 2

Every atom is made of the same three subatomic particles:

• Protons

• Neutrons

• Electrons

Subatomic Particles!

Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

There are 118 elements (that we know of)

Every one of them is made of atoms

All atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons

The number of protons determine what type of atom you have

• They define the element

• For example, every atom of carbon has six protons in its nucleus

Protons!

Neutrons make the atom stable

• Without neutrons, the nucleus would be made of just protons

• And like charges repel, so the nucleus would break apart

• They hold the nucleus together

Neutrons!

Electrons balance the charge of the atom

• For every positive proton, there is a negative electron to balance it out

• The entire atom has zero charge

Electrons!