Atoms are made up of three main particles. These are the neutron, electron, and proton. These main parts are each made up of smaller particles. This picture shows the placement of each of the main particles
The Proton is positively charged and is in the nucleus. The Neutron has no electrical charge and is in the the nucleus also.
The electron moves around the nucleus and it has a negative charge.
The number of protons in an atom determine the type of atom it will be. Click Here to find out what isotopes are.
The proton and the neutron are very large and make up most of the MASS of the atom. The electrons have very little mass, but since they move around the nucleus they take up most of the SPACE in the atom.
Atoms are so small that not even the most powerful microscopes can see them. Click Here to see how Ernest Rutherford was able to deduce the basic atomic structure.
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