Describe an atom

Answer 1

Atom-the smallest particle of an element that still has all the properties of that elementThat is correct, but if you want it in more detail:

An atom is the smallest fragment of a chemical element which retains the properties of that element and can take part in chemical rections.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in orbitals. Basically, it's the building block of everything around you, so show some respect to those little guys.

Answer 3

An atom is a building block of matter.

An atom is the smallest amount of a substance that we can have that will still retain all the features of that substance. Should it be subdivided any more, the qualities of the substance will be lost. The atom comes from an ancient Greek idea that stated exactly that. Today we know that the "substance" spoken of here is a chemical element, and an atom of an element is the smallest unit into which we can divide that element.

Atoms, which form chemical molecules, are the basic part of any substance. All matter, including living things and people, is made of atoms. The chemical reactions in the human body are the complex interactions between atoms and molecules in our cells.

A classic atom has a nucleus (made up of protons and neutrons) and a number of electrons orbiting this nucleus, which in an uncharged atom is equal to the number of protons. Atoms can bond with each other to form molecules, or decay into different atoms, or ionize (lose or gain electrons to become respectively positively or negatively charged ions). The properties of an atom are dictated by the number of protons, neutrons and electrons it contains.

All atoms that have been discovered to date are laid out in the Periodic Table of elements.
The official definition for the word atom is "the basic unit of a chemical element."

Answer 4

In simple terms an atom is a cloud of tiny electrons buzzing round a central much larger nucleus in a series of orbits called shells. The innermost shell can hold two electrons, the next one can have up to eight and so on. The nucleus is made up of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons. The electrons are negatively charged and there is one electron per proton to maintain electrical neutrality. Different elements have a different number of protons ( and therefore electrons) so as you go through the periodic table from Hydrogen (1 proton, 1 electron) to Uranium (92 protons,92 electrons) the swarm of electrons gets bigger and bigger. Like in the solar system the electron orbits are relatively far distant from the nucleus and so most of an atom is empty space.

Answer 5

Atoms are the simplest form that an element exists. Ions are formed by adding or subtracting electrons by atoms. Atoms gain electrons to form negative ions (anions) and give electrons to form positive ions (cations).

Answer 6

An atom is the basic unit of matter that consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. Atoms combine to form molecules through chemical bonds.

Answer 7

Atoms are the smallest unit of an element that maintains the properties of the element.

Answer 8

An atom is the smallest unit in compounds and elements. Atoms move constantly in order to form compounds and make other molecules.

Answer 9

The smallest particle of any chemical element that bears the quality of that element. An atom is made up of protons and neutrons in a central nucleus surround by electrons.