Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons

Question 1

What are the three distinct parts of an atom?

Answer 1

The protons, neutrons, and electrons, protons and neutrons are the bigger particles: they make up the core of an atom (atom nucleus)

Question 2

What charge do protons have?

Answer 2

A positive charge, such as one side of a magnet
(without neutrons to space out the protons, the protons would push each other)

Question 3

What charge do neutrons have?

Answer 3

No charge

Question 4

Do the number of protons tell what atom is which?

Answer 4

Yes
- atoms with 1 proton = hydrogen,
- atoms with 47 protons = silver,
- atoms with 82 protons = lead

Question 5

What charge do electrons have?

Answer 5

A negative charge
(electrons in an atom are smaller and they exist on the outside around the nucleus)

Question 6

If there’s a stable atom, is the number of electrons the same as the number of protons?

Answer 6

Yes

Question 7

What is a charged atom (ion)?

Answer 7

When an atom has one more proton or electron
(e.g. a lead atom has 82 protons and 81 electrons)