1. Structure of an Atom

2. What Is an Atom?
Atoms are often referred to as the building blocks of matter.
Each element on the periodic table is composed of one type of atom and cannot be broken down into a simpler substance.
Structure of the atom. (n.d.). Retrieved from

3. What Is an Atom?
Atoms are composed of smaller subatomic particles such as the proton, neutron, and electron.
Atoms contain a nucleus surrounded by an electron cloud that consists of one or more energy levels.

4. Inner Structure of an Atom
Nucleus - Small, dense, positively charged center of the atom which contains most of the atom’s mass

5. Inner Structure of an Atom
The nucleus contains the following subatomic particles:
Protons - positively (+) charged particles, determines element’s identity, contributes to mass, amu=1
Neutrons - particles that have no charge (neutral), but contribute to the atom’s mass, amu=1

6. Outer Structure of an Atom
Electron cloud - an area around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found orbiting the nucleus in several energy levels

7. Outer Structure of an Atom
The electron cloud contains several energy levels
Electrons - negatively (-) charged particles located in specific energy levels surrounding the nucleus
amu-almost zero

8. Outer Structure of an Atom
Multiple energy levels in the electron cloud completely surround the nucleus.
Electrons follow a specific order to fill the energy levels.
Maximum of 2 electrons
Nucleus
Maximum of 8 electrons
Maximum of 8 electrons*
*Applies to the first 18 elements only

9. Outer Structure of an Atom
The electrons in the outermost energy level are called valence electrons
The shell containing electrons that is furthest from the nucleus is called the valence shell
The number of electron shells with electrons is the same as the period number on the Periodic Table.

10. Valence Electrons Electron Shell Number of Electrons 1 2 8 3 4 18 5 6
Each electron shell can hold a certain number of electrons
Electron shells are filled from the inside out
Noble Gases have full outer electron shells
All other elements have partially filled outer electron shells
Electron Shell
Number of Electrons 1 2 8 3 4 18 5 6 32 7

11. Noble Gas Stability Noble gases are usually unreactive
This is because they have full valence shells
An element with a full valence shell is a happy element 
For two atoms to join together atoms must gain, lose or share electrons
Elements with full valence shells do not easily gain or lose electrons

12. Atomic Stability Atoms want to gain stability
Atoms will try to gain or lose electrons to have a full valence shell
Metals try to lose electrons
Non-Metals try to gain electrons

13. Decoding Atom Information from the Periodic Table
Carbon 6
12.0
Atomic Number
Atom’s
Symbol
Atom’s Name
Atomic
Mass

14. Decoding Atom Information from the Periodic Table
Atomic number
# of protons = # of electrons 6 C
Carbon
Atomic mass = # of protons plus the # of neutrons
12.0

15. Atom Characteristics
The number of protons in the nucleus is the atomic number of that atom. Protons are used to identify elements.
The atomic number represents the number of protons (+) and is equal to the number of electrons (-).

16. Atom Characteristics
The atomic mass is the mass of the protons plus the mass of the neutrons.
So, the mass is determined by the
nucleus only
Atomic mass is recorded in the SI units: atomic mass units (amu).
Protons and neutrons each are given an amu of 1.
Electrons have a mass of nearly zero.
Structure of the atom. (n.d.). Retrieved from