An atom is the basic unit of matter that consists of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. Atoms are the building blocks of all substances in the universe and determine the chemical properties of elements. Each atom is made up of three main types of subatomic particles:
- Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.
- Neutrons: Neutral particles (no charge) also located in the nucleus.
- Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in various energy levels or shells.
The number of protons in the nucleus defines the element (e.g., hydrogen has one proton, helium has two protons), while the arrangement of electrons determines how an atom interacts chemically with other atoms.
The nucleus is the dense core at the center of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons. The nucleus contains most of the atom's mass and is held together by the strong nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces in nature. The balance between the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus influences the stability of an atom.
In summary, atoms are the fundamental units of matter, and the nucleus is the central part of each atom that contains protons and neutrons.
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