03/25/2024
Atomic structure gets tested on the ATI TEAS 7 exam.
But what do we mean by atomic structure?
Atomic structure refers to the organization and composition of an atom, which is the basic building block of matter. Atoms are composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. They have a relative mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and are assigned a charge of +1 elementary charge.
Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus alongside protons. They have a relative mass of approximately 1 amu, similar to that of protons, but they carry no net electric charge.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom in distinct energy levels or shells. They have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons, approximately 1/1836 amu, and are assigned a charge of -1 elementary charge.
The nucleus, located at the center of the atom, contains protons and neutrons and accounts for most of the atom's mass and density. The electrons, which are much lighter than protons and neutrons, orbit the nucleus in regions of space known as electron shells or energy levels. These shells can hold a specific number of electrons, with the innermost shell closest to the nucleus holding the fewest electrons.
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