• Question: How many particles are in an atom?

    Asked by anon-244324 to Ondrej, Jordan, Eleanor, Ed on 19 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Jordan McElwee

      Jordan McElwee answered on 19 Mar 2020:

      Depends on the atom! An atom is a central collection of protons and neutrons (called the nucleus), which is orbited by electrons. If you call the protons, neutrons and electrons the particles in the atom then you can work out the number from a periodic table (depending on the atom).
      BUT! You can make it a little more complex. Protons and neutrons are actually composite particles (meaning they are made of other things). They are both made of up and down quarks – the proton with 2 ups and 1 down, neutron with 2 downs and 1 up. So if you call the quarks particles, then you have even more inside the atom!

    • Photo: Eleanor Jones

      Eleanor Jones answered on 19 Mar 2020:

      As Jordon says, it depends on the atom and the number of the different types of particles gives the atom it’s properties.

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