Atoms: very small

If a helium atom was the size of a full stop, then the average gerbil would be the size of the Earth.

Atoms: very small

Now lets pretend that the helium atom on the right is the size of the Earth.

Whats wrong with this simple picture?

How big is a nucleus?

The helium atom is not in the right proportions. The three subatomic particles are wrongly enormous in comparison to the atoms radius.

If the atom was the size of the Earth, then the nucleus would be about the size of IVC (at the centre of the Earth).

Most of the atom is empty space!

If you imagine an atom being the size of Wembley stadium, the nucleus would be about the size of a football on the centre spot.
The electrons would be two peas flying around the whole stadium. The rest of it: emptiness.

Subatomic particles in more detail

Subatomic particle Proton Neutron Electron Relative charge +1 0 -1 Relative mass 1 1 1 10-5 Common depiction

+ -

Lithium
No. of protons + neutrons Mass number

Number of protons

Number of electrons
3

Li
3
Atomic number or proton number (No. of protons)

Lithium
Electrons

Protons
Neutrons

3
4

Atomic number does not always equal the number of neutrons.

Lithium
Number of protons
Lithium

=
3 3 4

Number of electrons

This is because the atom is neutral. The charges balance out!

Electrons Protons Neutrons

-3 charge +3 charge No charge

But atoms can gain and lose electrons (they become ions). This changes the overall charge on the atom.

Lithium
Some isotopes of lithium:
4Li

4-Lithium 6-Lithium

3 protons, 1 neutron
3 protons, 3 neutrons

Number of protons defines an element nothing else!

7-Lithium (7Li) Electrons Protons Neutrons 3 3 4
Lithium: always 3 protons!

6Li

10Li

3 protons, 10-Lithium 7 neutrons 3 protons, 11-Lithium 8 neutrons

11Li

Atomic number does not always equal the number of neutrons. This can change, even in atoms of the same element. These are called isotopes.

How many protons, electrons and neutrons do these have?

Atom Na Rh phosphorus The last of the halogens Xe The only liquid non-metal Li+ FCarbon-14 (14C)
4

He
2

A helium atom

2 protons 2 electrons 2 neutrons

How many protons, electrons and neutrons do these have?

Atom Na Rh phosphorus The last of the halogens Xe The only liquid non-metal Li+ FCarbon-14 (14C)
4

P 11 45 15 85 54 35 3 9 6

N 12 58 16 125 77 45 4 10 8
2 protons 2 electrons 2 neutrons

E 11 45 15 85 54 35 2 10 6

He
2

A helium atom

Fill in the table

Species
K Ca
2+

Name
Potassium

Protons

Neutrons

Electrons

Electron configuration

19

20

2,8,8,1

Oxygen ion
Mg ion in magnesium chloride

Fluoride ion Na+ lithium ion in lithium oxide Halogen ion in LiCl

Fill in the table

Species
K Ca O
2+ 22+

Name
Potassium Calcium ion Oxygen ion
Mg ion in magnesium chloride

Protons

Neutrons

Electrons

Electron configuration

19 20 8 12 9 11 3 17

20 20 8 12 10 12 4 18

19 18 10 10 10 10 2 18

2,8,8,1 2,8,8 2,8 2,8 2,8 2,8 2 2,8,8

Mg F
-

Fluoride ion Sodium ion lithium ion in lithium oxide Halogen ion in LiCl

Na+ Li Cl
+