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ATOMIC STRUCTURE

NO OF PARTICLES

By Asif IqbalPublished about a year ago 5 min read

Atomic structure refers to the arrangement of subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—within an atom. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, and understanding their structure is essential in chemistry and physics.

Key Components of an Atom:

Nucleus:

Atomic structure refers to the arrangement of subatomic particles—protons, neutrons, and electrons—within an atom. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, and understanding their structure is essential in chemistry and physics.

Key Components of an Atom:

Nucleus:

Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus. The number of protons defines the element and is called the atomic number.

Neutrons: Neutral particles also located in the nucleus. They contribute to the atom's mass but do not affect its charge.

The nucleus is dense and contains nearly all the atom's mass.

Electrons:

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in regions called energy levels or electron shells.

The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom.

Subatomic Particle Properties:

Particle Charge Mass (amu) Location

Proton +1 ~1.007 (≈1) Nucleus

Neutron 0 (Neutral) ~1.008 (≈1) Nucleus

Electron -1 ~0.0005 (≈0) Outside Nucleus

Bohr Model (Simplified Model of the Atom):

Electrons orbit the nucleus in defined energy levels or shells.

Energy levels are denoted as K, L, M, N, etc., or by numbers n = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

The farther an electron is from the nucleus, the higher its energy.

Modern Quantum Model:

Electrons are not located in fixed orbits but rather in regions of space called orbitals.

Orbitals are areas where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

This model is based on quantum mechanics.

Atomic Mass and Number:

**Atomic Number

You said:

no of particles

ChatGPT said:

The number of particles in an atom refers to the total count of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Here's how to calculate them:

1. Protons:

The number of protons is equal to the atomic number of the element.

Found in the nucleus.

Example: Carbon has an atomic number of 6, so it has 6 protons.

2. Electrons:

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons.

Example: A neutral carbon atom has 6 electrons because it has 6 protons.

For ions:

If the atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged (cation).

If the atom gains electrons, it becomes negatively charged (anion).

3. Neutrons:

The number of neutrons can be determined using the mass number (total protons and neutrons) and the atomic number.

Formula:

Number of neutrons

=

Mass number

Atomic number

Number of neutrons=Mass number−Atomic number

Example: A carbon atom with a mass number of 12 has:

Neutrons

=

12

6

=

6

Neutrons=12−6=6

Example Calculation for Oxygen:

Atomic Number: 8 (protons = 8)

Mass Number: 16

Neutrons:

16

8

=

8

16−8=8

Electrons: 8 (for a neutral atom)

Thus, an oxygen atom has:

8 protons

8 electrons

8 neutrons

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Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus. The number of protons defines the element and is called the atomic number.

Neutrons: Neutral particles also located in the nucleus. They contribute to the atom's mass but do not affect its charge.

The nucleus is dense and contains nearly all the atom's mass.

Electrons:

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in regions called energy levels or electron shells.

The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in a neutral atom.

Subatomic Particle Properties:

Particle Charge Mass (amu) Location

Proton +1 ~1.007 (≈1) Nucleus

Neutron 0 (Neutral) ~1.008 (≈1) Nucleus

Electron -1 ~0.0005 (≈0) Outside Nucleus

Bohr Model (Simplified Model of the Atom):

Electrons orbit the nucleus in defined energy levels or shells.

Energy levels are denoted as K, L, M, N, etc., or by numbers n = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

The farther an electron is from the nucleus, the higher its energy.

Modern Quantum Model:

Electrons are not located in fixed orbits but rather in regions of space called orbitals.

Orbitals are areas where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

This model is based on quantum mechanics.

Atomic Mass and Number:

**Atomic Number

Recent advancements in particle physics have led to the discovery of several exotic subatomic particles that deepen our understanding of atomic structure. Notably:

Pentaquarks: These particles consist of four quarks and one antiquark. In July 2022, the LHCb experiment at CERN reported the discovery of a new type of pentaquark, expanding the family of known hadrons.

ECONOMIC TIMES

Tetraquarks: Comprising two quarks and two antiquarks, tetraquarks are another form of exotic hadron. The same LHCb experiment also observed the first-ever pair of tetraquarks, providing valuable insights into the strong force that binds quarks together.

LEARNING ENGLISH

X17 Particle: Researchers at the ATOMKI institute in Hungary have proposed the existence of a new, light boson with a mass around 17 MeV, dubbed the X17 particle. This particle could potentially indicate a fifth fundamental force, though further experiments are ongoing to confirm its existence.

WIKIPEDIA

These discoveries are reshaping our comprehension of subatomic particles and the fundamental forces governing their interactions.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the following sources:

CERN's announcement on new exotic particles

VOA Learning English article on new subatomic particles

Wikipedia entry on the X17 particle

Recent advancements in atomic and subatomic research have led to significant discoveries:

Antimatter and Gravity

In September 2023, CERN's ALPHA experiment provided evidence that antimatter responds to gravity similarly to regular matter. This supports the weak equivalence principle, a cornerstone of general relativity.

WIKIPEDIA

Ultra-Fast Atomic Processes

Researchers at The Ohio State University observed that when electrons are ejected by X-rays, they interact with Auger-Meitner electrons, causing a previously undetected secondary pause. This finding has implications for understanding complex molecular dynamics.

OHIO STATE NEWS

Exotic Particles and Magnetism

MIT physicists have gained new insights into exotic particles that are key to a form of magnetism originating from ultrathin materials only a few atomic layers thick. This research could impact future electronics and more.

MIT NEWS

Quark Interactions

Nuclear physicists have used giant particle accelerators to produce various types of quarks and study how they evolve to form observable particles, offering new insights into the mechanisms of how quarks combine.

ENERGY.GOV

Advancements in Timekeeping

Scientists have demonstrated key elements of the world's first nuclear clock, which could revolutionize timekeeping through greater accuracy than atomic clocks. This breakthrough could enhance technologies like GPS and internet synchronization.

THE SUN

These developments are deepening our understanding of atomic and subatomic particles, with potential applications in technology and fundamental physics.

Recent Breakthroughs in Atomic and Quantum Physics

The Times

What is dark matter? Meet the man who could find out first

5 days ago

The Sun

World's first nuclear clock created to 'revolutionize how measure time' with big changes to GPS, internet and banking

124 days ago

Wired

Scientists Have Pushed the Schrödinger's Cat Paradox to New Limits

Vocal

About the Creator

Asif Iqbal

My name is ASIF IQBAL. I am 47 years old. MY qualification is MSc in Applied physics in 1999 from university of Karachi.

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