Leonardo Learning--The Atom basics explained

The most perfect shape in the universe is the circle but equally in the running for the most perfect of all perfection is the triangle..It contains the entire universe, the trinity of all wisdom. Everything in the universe is made of atoms. All atoms are made up of a trinity of Protons, Neutrons and Electrons (in varying ratios and numbers) but every atom consists of this "Triangular Trinity of Creation."


Every atom is surrounded by a "cloud" of electrically charged particles called Electrons. The charge of these electrons determines the chemical properties of the atom. i.e the transparency of glass etc


Deep inside the atom (which is essentially empty nothingness--- like the non-universal brain of Sargent) Lies the HEART of the atom----The Nucleus, and it is composed of Neutrons and Protons. Most of The mass in an atom lies in the nucleus--the electrons are basically bit of nothing but electrical "potential.."

a neutron has a neutral charge (as its name suggests) and a proton has a positive charge...


All the 92 elements known to scientists are made from varying combination of "The Trinity" in fact, the

Every Atom is electrically neutral so the number of protons in the nucleus must equal the number of electrons in the electron "cloud"


The chemistry of an atom depends on the number of electrons. The nature of a chemical elements depends on the number of electrons. This is the atomic number..

an atom with one proton is hydrogen
an atom with two protons is helium
three protons is lithium
four protons is borrillium
five protons is boron
six protons is carbon
seven protons is nitrogen
eight protons is oxygen

AND SO ON UP TO 92...










Matter is made of Nothing!!!!!!! (Think about them apples.)












Important Terms

• atom - smallest piece of an element that keeps its chemical properties
• compound - substance that can be broken into elements by chemical reactions
• electron - particle orbiting the nucleus of an atom with a negative charge (mass = 9.10 x 10^-28 grams)
• element - substance that cannot be broken down by chemical reactions
• ion - electrically charged atom (i.e., excess positive or negative charge)
• molecule - smallest piece of a compound that keeps its chemical properties (made of two or more atoms)
• neutron - particle in the nucleus of an atom with no charge (mass = 1.675 x 10^-24 grams)
• nucleus - dense, central core of an atom (made of protons and neutrons)
• proton - particle in the nucleus of an atom with a positive charge (mass = 1.673 x 10^-24 grams)