Parts of the Atom

Atoms

• the atom is a basic unit of matter that has a dense, small, central nucleus that is surrounded by a haze of negatively charged electrons
• the nucleus consists of protons and neutrons
• the electrons of an atom are bound to the nucleus by an electromagnetic force
• a group of atoms bound together forms a molecule
• when atoms of different elements are together- they form compound molecules
• atoms lack a well defined outer boundary
• dimensions usually described in atomic radius
• electrons extremely lightweight