1.1 The particles that make up an atom

3 Basic sub-atomic particles, each has different properties.

Name

Symbol

Approximate relative mass

More accurate mass

Relative charge

Proton

p

1

1.0000

+1

Neutron

n

1

1.0016

0

Electron

e

Almost zero

0.000 547

-1

This is the culmination of the work of 5 eminent physicists, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr and Chadwick.

Their work basically culminates in the ideas above and the important fact that an atom consists of:

· A nucleus containing protons and neutrons surrounded by

· Electrons in orbital around the nucleus.

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