Atoms

electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle. Found orbiting the nucleus. Make up almost none of the mass, but most of the volume of the atom.

isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons in the nucleus

proton

Positively charged subatomic particle. Found in the nucleus of the atom.

neutron

Subatomic particle that has no charge. Found in the nucleus of the atom. Essential to create stable nucleus (too many protons next to each other would repel!)

atom

The basic unit of matter. The smallest possible particle that still retains all characteristics of an individual element.

nucleus

The center portion of the atom. Contains most of the mass, but very little of the volume.

subatomic particle

The pieces that make up atoms. Include protons, neutrons, and electrons.

element

The smallest piece of matter that interacts with other pieces of matter in predictable ways. Atoms of one element always behave the same as any other atom of that element.

chemistry

branch of physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties and change of matter.