Atoms, Elements and Compounds - Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table

Objective: State the relative charges and relative masses of a proton, a neutron and an electron

This section focuses on the fundamental building blocks of matter – atoms – and their constituent particles. We will explore the relative charges and masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons, which are crucial for understanding atomic structure and the periodic table.

Subatomic Particles

Atoms are composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

Protons are positively charged particles located in the nucleus of the atom.

• Relative Charge: +1
• Relative Mass: 1

Neutron

Neutrons are neutral particles (no charge) also found in the nucleus of the atom.

• Relative Charge: 0
• Relative Mass: 1

Electron

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels or shells.

• Relative Charge: -1
• Relative Mass: 0 (approximately, as it is much lighter than protons and neutrons)

Summary Table

Particle	Relative Charge	Relative Mass
Proton	+1	1
Neutron	0	1
Electron	-1	0

These relative values are used for comparison and are fundamental to understanding atomic properties and chemical bonding.