An atom is made up of even smaller particles called:
a) Molecules
b) Subatomic particles
c) Elements
d) Compounds
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: b) Subatomic particles.
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and consist of even smaller particles known as subatomic particles. These particles include protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus at the center of the atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus in various energy levels or shells.
Protons are positively charged particles, and the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines the atom’s atomic number, which defines the element. For example, hydrogen has one proton, while carbon has six protons.
Neutrons, on the other hand, have no charge, and their primary function is to add mass to the atom and help stabilize the nucleus. The number of neutrons in an atom can vary, leading to different isotopes of the same element. For instance, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are both isotopes of carbon, but they differ in the number of neutrons.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in regions known as electron shells or orbitals. Electrons are involved in chemical reactions, as they are the particles that interact with other atoms to form chemical bonds.
The concept of subatomic particles is crucial in understanding the structure and behavior of atoms. They determine the chemical properties and the behavior of elements in various reactions. Understanding subatomic particles also forms the foundation for fields like chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Therefore, atoms are made up of subatomic particles, and these particles interact to give rise to the vast diversity of elements and compounds that exist in the universe.