Facts about Atoms and Molecules - Mocomi Kids

Chemistry for Kids

http://mocomi.com/learn/science/chemistry/

Atoms & Molecules F UN FOR ME!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like this....

Atoms & Molecules

electron(-)

+

proton(+)

Matter can be described as any object that occupies space and has neutron (o) weight and mass. It is always found in one of three states- solid, liquid or gas, but no matter which state it is in, matter is made up of microscopic particles called atoms. An atom is a particle that is the most basic unit of matter. Any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, is made up of millions of these tiny particles. The word atom comes from the Greek word 'atomos' meaning indivisible. F UN FOR ME!

Atoms & Molecules The theory that matter is made up of these tiny particles was put forth by ancient Indian and Greek scientists. However this theory could not be proven because of the lack of technology. These miniscule particles are so tiny that they can only be observed with a very powerful instrument called a 'scanning tunneling microscope'. With its help scientists were able observe and records the nature of this tiny particle.

F UN FOR ME!

Atoms & Molecules The structure of an atom very closely resembles that of an egg. It has a nucleus in the middle like the yolk of an egg. This part is made up of positively charged protons and neutrally charged Electron Nucleus neutrons. Around the nucleus are (protons + neutrons) negatively charged electrons like the white of an egg which rotate around the nucleus in fixed orbits.

Egg Orbit F UN FOR ME!

Atoms & Molecules The number of protons in an atom is known as the atomic number. Therefore if an atom has the atomic number 8 means that there are 8 protons in the nucleus and that the atom is of the element Oxygen. You can also safely say that all oxygen atoms will have 8 protons. Atomic number = Number of protons

When two or more atoms combine they give rise to a molecule. A molecule can be made up of many atoms of the same element as in the case of 2 oxygen atoms combining to form O 2 Or F UN FOR ME!

+

Atoms & Molecules

H O

+

H

+ + + + - + -+ H

H

O

a combination of atoms of different elements where 2 hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom to form H 2 O (water). There are 112 elements known to man, so can you imagine the different permutations and combinations of molecules that can exist freely in nature or be synthesized in a laboratory?

For more such fun chemistry articles and videos, visit:

F UN FOR ME!

http://mocomi.com/learn/science/chemistry/

H

O

H

O

+ -+ H

H

O

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook