A Model for the Electrical Nature of Matter
Matter All matter is made up of submicroscopic particles called atoms.
Nucleus At the centre of each atom is a nucleus. Each nucleus has A proton: positive charge A neutron: no charge
Atom
This is not the proton you are looking for. Protons Protons do not move from a nucleus when an atom becomes charged! This is not the proton you are looking for.
Electrons A cloud of negatively charged electrons surround the nucleus. An electron has the same amount of charge as a proton, but the charge is opposite. Electrons move from atom to atom when atoms become charged!
Charges Like charges repel each other; unlike charges attract each other. In some elements electrons move easily from atom to atom. In other elements the electrons do not want to move much at all.
In a neutral atom the number of electrons equal the number of protons. If an atom gains an electron, the net charge will be negative, it is called a negative ion. If an atom loses an electron, the net charge will be positive, it is called a positive ion.