How do electrons of an atom compare to planet and the sun?

Answer 1

Inside atoms, there are protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutrally charged, and electrons are negatively charged. In most atoms, the number of protons and neutrons are equal, meaning the atom is neutrally charged.

However, protons and neutrons are about the same size, while electrons are MUCH smaller. For reasons we don't fully understand, the protons and neutrons stick together in a clump at the center of an atom while the electrons circle around. We call that clump the nucleus.

Now, this is very similar to a solar system. The sun is very large, with many smaller planets circling around. The difference is, planets circle around the sun because of gravity, and electrons circle around the nucleus because God likes to screw with us.

Answer 2

Electrons in an atom orbit the nucleus like planets orbit the sun, following specific energy levels and orbitals. However, unlike planets in a solar system, electrons are not solid particles with fixed positions, but rather exist as clouds of probability within a specific region around the nucleus. Additionally, the force holding electrons in orbit around the nucleus is electromagnetic, rather than gravitational like the force keeping planets in orbit around the sun.