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The Nuclear Atom

Part of the Atomic Structure section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 8 of 45.

The nucleus holds protons (charge +1) and neutrons (no charge). Electrons (charge −1) move around it.

A lithium atom: a nucleus with 3 protons and 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons around it

Lithium: 3 protons and 4 neutrons in the nucleus, 3 electrons outside

Protons and neutrons weigh about the same, each about 1800 times more than an electron: almost all the mass is in the nucleus.

A neutral atom has as many electrons as protons. Lithium has 3 protons, so 3 electrons.

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Challenge

A lithium atom has 3 protons and 4 neutrons in its nucleus, and 3 electrons around it. Build it.

Try it yourself

Atom builderBuild Li (lithium)
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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Atomic Structure

1Matter and Atoms

What Everything Is Made OfElements, Compounds, MixturesChemical SymbolsCounting Atoms in a FormulaRecap - Molecule Kit

4Electron Arrangement

Shells and the First 20Valence ElectronsIonization Energy as EvidenceLight from AtomsSubshells: s, p, dAufbau, Hund and PauliWriting ConfigurationsIons and the ExceptionsRecap - Configuration Race

7Practice Problems

Recap - Potassium OxideRecap - Helium from RocksRecap - Uranium to Lead

2Models of the Atom

Dalton and ThomsonRutherford's Gold FoilThe Nuclear AtomBohr's ShellsRecap - From Ball to Nucleus

5The Periodic Table

Mendeleev's PuzzleGroups and PeriodsBlocks: s, p, d, fMetals, Non-metals, MetalloidsAlkali MetalsHalogensNoble GasesRecap - Build the Table

3Inside the Atom

Protons Decide the ElementElectrons and ChargeNeutrons and Mass NumberNuclide NotationIonsIsotopesRadioactive DecayRelative Atomic MassRecap - Mystery Particles

6Periodic Trends

Atomic RadiusIonic RadiusIonization Energy TrendElectronegativityExplaining TrendsRecap - Mystery Element