Fundamental Ideas (C1)

Atoms:

• Everything is made from atoms.
• We call the different types of atoms elements and there are about 100 different types of them.
• Two atoms can make a bigger particle called a molecule when they join together.
• Each of these different atoms have their own symbols and all of these can be found on the periodic table.
• Compounds are made when two or more of these different atoms join together.

• Elements in the periodic table are arranged in order of increasing atomic number (the number of protons).
• All of the elements in a single group have similar properties.
• The metals are shown on the left of the periodic table, and the non-metals are shown on the right.

This is a carbon atom. The number of protons in the nucleus tells you what atom you have.

• 12 ----> Mass Number ------> This is equal to the number of protons and electrons.
• 6 -----> Atomic Number ----> This is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus.

Therefore its symbol would be: 

In an atom a: Proton has a charge of +1

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