Can you make atoms

You might need to choose one that has different orbitals, depending on the theory of the atom you are studying. Design your atom model. Determine how to place the neutrons and protons in the nucleus. If you are using the planetary theory or model, the electrons go in a single ring around the nucleus. If you are using Bohr's model or refined model, you need to figure out the orbitals and which orbitals get the full number of electrons and which one gets a partial one, if you do not choose a noble gas.

If you are studying wave theory, you might need to have solid orbitals around your nucleus, rather than little round bodies. Collect your materials.

You need balls for the nucleus, and possibly, for the electrons. Styrofoam balls are a popular choice, but you can use cotton balls, marbles, small balls of aluminum foil, beads or even candy. Metal coat hangers make good orbitals and sheets of aluminum foil make a good wave model of an atom.

Glue your nucleus together. As a result of these discoveries, we now know that:. Developing models of atoms Ancient Greek thinkers believed that all matter was made of a combination of earth, air, fire and water.

The first atomic model The scientist John Dalton carried out a series of experiments. A timeline to show how the atomic model has changed Year Scientist s New evidence Changes to the atomic model Thomson The discovery of electrons. Atoms can be broken down into smaller parts.

An atom is made of tiny negatively charged electrons dotted about a positively charged sphere like a plum pudding. Atoms have a central positive nucleus. Real atoms are mostly empty space. If we wanted our drawings to be accurate, we would have to place the electrons about a mile away.

Clearly, it would be difficult to bring a drawing that large to class. In the drawings above, we have drawn nice circles showing where the electrons go around the atom. In reality, scientists cannot tell exactly where an electron is at a given moment or where it is going.

They can calculate the probability that an electron will be found in a given volume of space, but that isn't the same as knowing where that electron is. This behavior is described in the Quantum Model of the atom. Although it is the most accurate description that scientists currently have of the atom, it is much more difficult to understand. How do I find the number of protons, electrons and neutrons that are in an atom of an element?

How many electrons fit in each shell around an atom? How do I read an electron configuration table? Questions and Answers are atoms made of? What are atoms made of? Citation and linking information For questions about this page, please contact Steve Gagnon. Jefferson Lab Resources. Department of Energy. The protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus are approximately the same mass the proton is slightly less and have the same angular momentum, or spin.

The nucleus is held together by the strong force , one of the four basic forces in nature. This force between the protons and neutrons overcomes the repulsive electrical force that would otherwise push the protons apart, according to the rules of electricity.

Some atomic nuclei are unstable because the binding force varies for different atoms based on the size of the nucleus. These atoms will then decay into other elements, such as carbon decaying into nitrogen Protons are positively charged particles found within atomic nuclei.

Rutherford discovered them in experiments with cathode-ray tubes that were conducted between and Protons are about The number of protons in an atom is unique to each element. For example, carbon atoms have six protons, hydrogen atoms have one and oxygen atoms have eight.

The number of protons in an atom is referred to as the atomic number of that element. The number of protons also determines the chemical behavior of the element. Elements are arranged in the Periodic Table of the Elements in order of increasing atomic number. Three quarks make up each proton — two "up" quarks each with a two-thirds positive charge and one "down" quark with a one-third negative charge — and they are held together by other subatomic particles called gluons, which are massless.

Electrons are tiny compared to protons and neutrons, over 1, times smaller than either a proton or a neutron. Electrons are about 0. Joseph John J. Thomson, a British physicist, discovered the electron in , according to the Science History Institute.