Question

Differentiate among the three particles of an atom in terms of their location, charge, and mass.

Answer 1

The three main particles of an atom are: electron, proton, and neutron.

This table shows the differences on the three properties: location, charge, and mass, for the three particles:

particle         location                                   charge (C)           mass (g)

electron        space around the nucleus     - 1.6 * 10^ -19       9.11 * 10^ -28

proton           nucleus                                 + 1.6 * 10^ -19      1.673 * 10 ^ - 24

neutron         nucleus                                  0                           1.675 * 10 ^ 24

It is important to drive some conclusions that permit you to have a better picture ot these particles and their differences:

1) electrons are in the space around the nucleus in regions called orbitals. Those are not orbits, because the electrons are not orbiting the nucleous.

2)  Both protons and neutrons are inside the nucleus of the atom.

3) Electrons and protons have opposite charges of the same magnitude.  The number of protons and electrons in an atom are equal, that is why they are neutral. The neutrons, which are inside the nucleus, with the protons, does not have charge.

4) The mass of the protons and the neutrons are almost equal.The difference does not count for the usual calculations.

5) The mass of one electron is 1 / 1840 times the mass of one proton. A very low quantity.

6) Electron is a fundamental particle (it is not formed by other particles).

7) Protons and neutrons are not fundamental particles. They are formed by quarks.