4. OVERVIEW:
When the idea of the atom was conceived by the ancient Greek
philosophers, they thought the atom is indivisible, that it has no parts.
Scientists have proven, however, that the atom is composed of even
smaller particles. From experiments conducted in the latter part of the 19th
century to the early half of the 20th century, scientists collected evidence
that atoms are composed of three types of particles, namely:
1. Protons
2. Electrons
3. Neutrons
5. These components of the atom are collectively referred to as subatomic
particles. In recent years, scientists have discovered that protons and neutrons
consist of even smaller particles.
There are still many things about the atom and what is inside it that scientists are
discovering. These extremely small particles are being studied using an
extremely big structure that serves as their instrument.
The thick black circle in Figure 1 is the scientific instrument and its circumference
is precisely 26. 659 kilometers and its depth is about 100 meters.
6.
7. 1. What makes up an atom?
2. How do these components differ from each other?
3. How are these components arranged inside the atom?
4. How is an atom different from an ion?
