The atom is a particle that is found in indivisible matter and of a fairly small size, with well-defined properties which vary according to the weight and value of each element, for this reason it is important to know what an atom is, definition, meaning and concept.
Within this whole group we also have to consider the physical characteristics of the atom, which is the main component of elements found in nature, well classified by metals, non-metals and elements in transition.
If we talk about the concept of atom itself, we have that it is a word that comes from the Greek language, denominating the smallest particle of any material or element that exists in the universe without divisions, as well as being the simplest found.
Throughout history several models have been defined to achieve the exact concept of atom, depending on the particular study that each chemist has given throughout history, therefore it becomes a way of establishing a defined concept.
What do you need:
- Chemical element.
- Small particle.
- Neutral charge.
- Positive charge.
- Negative charge.
- Molar identity.
- Atomic number.
- Valencia.
Instructions
We already know that the atom is the smallest particle of matter with the possibility of carrying an electric charge, producing the so-called bonds and due to this we can infer that the atom is made up of the following.
- Electrons or particles with a negative electrical charge. It is represented by the sign (-).
- Protons or particles with a positive electrical charge. It is represented by the sign (+).
- Neutrons or particles with zero or neutral electrical charge. It is represented by (0).
- Atoms are present in all the chemical elements that we find in nature and for which there is an arrangement of each of the particles presented above, forming bonds that will give the element its molecular structure.
This is how atoms work
- Atoms are small particles that cannot be divided into simpler elements, since each of these within each element must be identical to form its atomic structure.
- Atoms make up the elements of nature such as: oxygen, carbon, lithium, sodium, rubidium, among many others.
- Each element has a different structure of atoms, thanks to the organization that these must have among themselves, giving the possibility of forming strongly linked structures so that the element is a product that differs from another.
- Atoms are the main components of molecules, which are what provide the union between one element and another, such as water, which is made up of 2 molecules of hydrogen and 1 of oxygen, its formula being H20.
- The molecules in a structured way also form bonds that will be strongly united to give life to the combinations of elements that will form chemical compounds such as oxides, hydroxides, anhydrides and salts.
- The atom also has its structure or internal parts that make it up presented below:
- The nucleus: it is the main part and is composed of positively charged elements such as protons and neutrons plus other neutrally charged elements.
- All the elements within its composition have the same positive charge or protons, and it is represented by the letter Z denominating it Atomic number.
- Crust: it is the external part that is characterized by having negatively charged particles or elements that move around the nucleus of the atom, being of less mass than protons, and the atomic number is the same as the number of electrons.
- Protons: are the positively charged elements of an atom that are immersed in the nucleus, having an amount equal to that of the electron so that there is a uniformity of the element in addition to a perfect internal chemical structure.
- Neutrons are elements within the nucleus that have neither a positive charge nor a negative charge, but that fulfill the function of balancing electrons and protons, establishing cohesion in the nucleus.
- Electrons: electrons are represented by the negative electrical charge and whose number is the same as the positive charge found in the nucleus of the atom, therefore there is a balance of elements.
- The atom was discovered in Greece. And its discoverer found that it was made up of very small elements that could not be broken down into other smaller particles. It was, therefore, an indivisible element.
- The chemist Lavoisier postulated The Law of Conservation of Mass which stipulates that matter is not destroyed or separated, what it simply does is transform into another with the same characteristics of each of the elements that act in the process.
- Although it was Dalton who described the first atomic model, it was through Lavoisier, who is considered the father of modern chemistry for his multiple discoveries, that he managed to formulate his discoveries.
- Subsequently, an evaluation of the different discoveries is made to formulate the classification of the different elements that we see today well organized in the periodic table that is used for the study in educational institutions.
- From there comes the theory that compound substances can decompose until they reach a single element, but which in turn has the particularity of decomposing into a last substance in its simplest composition.
- Molecules are more complex structures that are formed when one or more atoms come together forming a union that will give a strongly rooted bond with specific properties of each one of them without destroying the essence of each one.
- The greatest amount of electrical charge is found in the nucleus of the atom. It is responsible for establishing the cohesive force between the particles that form it so that instead of destroying each other, they transform.
- If a particle with a negative electrical charge meets another with the same charge, they repel each other and a repelling force begins that helps maintain a well-defined structure of any element, while if they have different charges they attract.
- It is taken into account that there are currently 92 atoms divided among the elements and although some may have a high atomic weight, this does not mean that the atom is larger, since the structure is the same.
- Atoms, in addition to fulfilling their functions, also have properties that are the same for all, which is why special attention should be paid to:
- Size, which refers to the space that covers the entire nucleus with the electrons around it.
- Ionization the force of pressure that is exerted to remove an electron to form a reaction.
- Affinity is the energy obtained by gaining or losing a negatively charged particle, to respond to the element’s level of reactivity.
- Electronegativity refers to the ability of all atoms to call or capture the charge of another element to form bonds.
- Among the characteristics that atoms present can be found:
- Indivisible: after the atom there is no smaller particle, so the first characteristic that represents it is that it cannot be divided.
- Structure: the atom presents a structure with the combination of electrons, protons and neutrons, linked in a nucleus and a shell with electrical charges.
- It is light: atoms also have the characteristic of being light because the weight or mass of the particles is very small.
- They unite molecules: atoms also have the main characteristic of forming molecules by combining one element with another, achieving a perfect bond while maintaining the properties of each one.
- There is no creation or destruction, they only manage to transform themselves, making atoms linked to each other, organized differently from each other.
- Reactivity: the only ones with the electrical charge necessary to make a powerful reagent are electrons, although protons and neutrons also play an important role, they are the first to produce reactivity.
- The bonds of the atoms and the molecules themselves are maintained by the fact that the electrons that revolve around the nucleus of each atom are the ones that will lead the opportunity to bond with other atoms and thus reach the molecule.
- Matter itself is made up of atoms that in turn are made up of charged particles that manage to make bonds that have the particularity of being able to unite the molecules that are the origin of chemical compounds.
- Each element has a certain number of atoms that is usually called the atomic weight represented by a letter and that defines the mass of the element that originates it, so it is usually said that it is the mass of an atom of any element.
- The molecular weight is the sum of the atomic weights of the molecules that make up the chemical substances and that each of the weights of the elements that make up the chemical substances are represented.
Tips
- The study of the atom includes all its parts, characteristics and functions.
- Molecules are linked atoms.
- To understand these topics well, you have to have some knowledge in physics, mathematics and, if you know chemistry, much better.
- The Universe is made up of matter and atoms, so do not reject the study of them. Because they are part of you and everything that surrounds you.