Question

What makes up atoms? I know that molecules are clusters of atoms, but what are atoms made of? Very small stuff, I presume

Answer 1

Answer: Atoms are made up of three particles: electrons, protons and neutrons.

Explanation: Atoms are the smallest particles of an element which can take part in a chemical reaction. Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons are located in the nucleus of an atom while electrons are located outside the nucleus. Protons have positive charges, electrons have negative charges while neutrons are uncharged. The number of protons and electrons in an atom are usually equal thus making an atom electrically neutral. When an atom looses one or more electrons it becomes positively charged while when an atom gains one or more electrons it becomes negatively charged. A positively charged atom is called a cation while a negatively charged atom is called an anion.