what is an atom?

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that still has the chemical properties of an element.

Quick Scoop

• Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter (everything around you is made of atoms).

• Each atom has a tiny central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons moving around this nucleus.

• Protons are positively charged, neutrons have no charge, and electrons are negatively charged.

• Different elements (like hydrogen, oxygen, carbon) are made of different kinds of atoms, mainly distinguished by the number of protons in the nucleus.

• Atoms can join together to form molecules and all larger structures, from a drop of water to your entire body.

A simple way to picture it

If you imagine a sports stadium as an atom, the nucleus would be like a pea in the center of the field, while the electrons would be like tiny gnats zipping around in the stands very far away from that pea. Despite this, almost all the mass of the atom is packed into that tiny nucleus.