Describes what makes up an atom?

Answer 1

An atom is made of protons, neutrons and electrons. The type of atom (element) depends on how many protons it has, the isotope of the atom depends on how many neutrons it has and the charge of the atom depends on how many electrons it has.

Now, protons and neutrons can be considered a type of matter while electrons can be considered a type of energy. (they really aren't but they can be considered that way) The electrons provide the energy that holds different atoms together into molecules.

The electron clouds are very big and puffy compared to the proton/neutron center which can be compaired to a lump of sugar-coated peanuts in the center of a large wad of cotton candy. Except that this cotton candy comes in an odd, spiky shape and the spikes connect to the other spikes of other cotton candy electons.

Answer 2

basic explanation:

l--------O-------l

l l

l OO l

l OO l

l l

l--------O-------l

An atom is made up of 3 things. Electrons, Protons and Neutrons.

In the middle of the atom is the NUCLEUS. It is made of Protons and Neutrons.

On the edge of the atom, 2 electrons are constantly orbiting the atom.

An atom is electrically balanced.

Answer 3

An atom is composed of a positively charged nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge. The number of protons determines the element of the atom, while the number of electrons determines its electrical charge.