Atoms

Kevin Zhang

Thursday, 7, June 2007

An atom is the smallest chemical element. Two kinds of objects, called protons and neutrons, form the nucleus, or the center of an atom. Protons have positive, or (­) charges. Neutrons are the same size of the protons. Neutrons do not have any charges. Both of them can be measured in fm (Fermi, or 10^-15 m.)

Surrounding the nucleus, there are same mad electrons, they are so small that they can’t be measured. They have negative charges. An atom has the same numbers of protons and electrons. The number of protons in an atom is called its atom number. When an atom has the same number of protons and electrons, the atom is called a staple atom. Sometimes when one atom of an object rubs another, it causes friction by the hopping electrons. They jump to the others atom and cause them to be unstable; and causes atoms of the, - charges, atoms with charges are called unstable atoms. When two charges meet, they cast fireworks of electricity. After a while, the electrons will be back to normal.