Parts of an atom

1
Parts of an atom

• Atoms are made up of subatomic particles,
  including the proton, neutron and the electron.
• Mack Taylor

2
Charges of Subatomic particles

• Neutron-neutral
• Proton-positively charged atom
• Electron-negatively charged

3
Other Facts

• Mass number-the number of protons plus the
  neutrons that are found in the nucleus of the
  atom.
• Atomic number-the number of protons in the
  nucleus of an atom.
• Isotopes-atoms of the same element that have
  different numbers of neutrons.

4
Nuclear Force

• Electrostatic force-objects with opposite charges
  that are drawn to each other.
• Nuclear force-an attractive force that acts
  between the protons and neutrons at the very
  short distance between these particles.
• Nuclear force maybe considered as the strongest
  of natures forces.
• Radioactive-radioactive decay occurs when an atom
  loses protons or neutrons.

5
Radioactivity

• Isotopes-are atoms of the same element with
  different numbers of neutrons.
• The nucleus of an atom can become unstable if
  there are too many neutrons for the number of
  protons. That is radioactive.
• Radioactive isotopes-all elements with atomic
  numbers greater than 83 are radioactive.
• Alpha particle-is a helium nucleus with 2 protons
  and 2 neutrons.
• Beta particles-electron emitted by an unstable
  atom.
• Gamma rays-are high energy x-rays, and only thick
  lead or concrete can stop them.

6
Fission

• Fission occurs when the nucleus of an atom that
  has many protons and neutrons become so unstable
  that it splits into smaller atoms.
• Spontaneous fission-a natural process that occurs
  normally in the transactinide elements, like
  rutherfordium (Rf).
• Induced fission-the process of firing neutrons at
  heavy atoms, to induce them to split.

7
Fusion

• Fusion is the exact opposite of fission,
  involving the joining (fusing) of two small atoms
  to form one larger atom. Fusion reactions occur
  in the sun (and other stars), where extremely
  high temperatures allow hydrogen isotopes to
  collide and fuse, releasing energy.

8
Half life and radioactive decay

• Half life-the amount of time it takes for ½ of
  the atoms of a radioactive sample to decay.
• Radioactive decay-an atom that emits an alpha
  particle, or gamma ray that is going through a
  process.

9
Half life

• Lets say that radium 226 has a half life of 1,602
  years and a sample of ten grams of 226 Ra is
  placed in a weighing dish and left in a and is
  locked in a vault. After 1,602 years the vault is
  opened. How much 226 Ra is in the weighing dish
  now? The answer is 5 grams that remains.

10
Location of subatomic particles

• The proton and the neutron are located in the
  nucleus of an atom. The electron is located
  outside of the of the nucleus.