Learn: Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons - Charges and Relative Masses

Welcome!You've already learned about elements, compounds, mixtures, and the basic model of the atom. Now, let's build on that knowledge by exploring protons, neutrons, and electrons, their charges, and relative masses. This is an important topic to help you understand how atoms are structured!

What are Subatomic Particles?Atoms are made up of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These particles have different charges and masses, which determine the properties of an atom.

Charges of Subatomic ParticlesProtons have a positive charge (+1). Electrons have a negative charge (-1). Neutrons have no charge; they are neutral.The charges of protons and electrons balance each other out, making most atoms electrically neutral overall.

Relative Mass of Subatomic ParticlesEach subatomic particle has a different mass:Protons: Relative mass = 1Neutrons: Relative mass = 1Electrons: Relative mass = ~1/2000 (much smaller than protons and neutrons)This means that most of the atom's mass comes from the nucleus, where protons and neutrons are located.

Why Are These Properties Important?The charges and relative masses of subatomic particles help explain how atoms interact in chemical reactions. For example, the number of protons determines the element, while electrons are involved in bonding.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned about the charges and relative masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Let's test your understanding with a few questions!