what is atoms?

Answer 1

An atom is a positively charged nucleus made of protons (positively charged particles) and neutrons (uncharged particles), orbited by negatively charged electrons. An atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element that still behaves like the element. In an atom, the number of protons and neutrons are equal, giving a net charge of zero. If the atom gains or loses one or more electrons, the result is a net charge, and the atom is then called an ion. The atom is usually characterized in terms of the number of protons in its nucleus, it's "atomic number," but it's really the number and energy level of its electrons that governs most of its chemical properties.

Answer 2

In chemistry and physics, an atom (Greek άτομος or átomos meaning "indivisible") is the smallest possible particle of a chemical element that retains its chemical properties. The word atom originally meant the smallest possible indivisible particle, but after the term came to have a specific meaning in science, atoms were found to be divisible and composed of smaller subatomic particles.

Most atoms are composed of three types of subatomic particles which govern their external properties:

electrons, which have a negative charge and are the least massive of the three;

protons, which have a positive charge and are about 1836 times more massive than electrons;

and

neutrons, which have no charge and are about 1839 times more massive than electrons.

Protons and neutrons make up a dense, massive atomic nucleus, and are collectively called nucleons. The electrons form the much larger electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.

Atoms differ in the number of each of the subatomic particles they contain. The number of protons in an atom (called the atomic number) determines the element of the atom.

Within a single element, the number of neutrons may also vary, determining the isotope of that element. The number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus may also change, via nuclear fusion, nuclear fission or radioactive decay.

The number of electrons associated with an atom is most easily changed, due to the lower energy of binding of electrons.

Atoms are electrically neutral if they have an equal number of protons and electrons. Atoms which have either a deficit or a surplus of electrons are called ions. Electrons that are furthest from the nucleus may be transferred to other nearby atoms or shared between atoms.

By this mechanism atoms are able to bond into molecules and other types of chemical compounds like ionic and covalent network crystals. For gases and certain molecular liquids and solids (such as water and sugar), molecules are the smallest division of matter which retains chemical properties; however, there are also many solids and liquids which are made of atoms, but do not contain discrete molecules (such as salts, rocks, and liquid and solid metals).

Most molecules are made up of multiple atoms; for example, a molecule of water is a combination of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. A few types of molecules (for example gas molecules of elements that do not form compounds, such as helium), are composed of only a single atom.

Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of chemistry, and are conserved in chemical reactions.

Answer 3

Atoms are like the puzzle pieces of life. They are microscopic molecules that join together and make everything like you.

Answer 4

what ARE atoms

they are small particles inside molecules

they also consist of subatomic particles: protons nuetrons electrons

Answer 5

the basis of all matter

Answer 6

a kind of candy.