ATOMS AND NUCLEUS
brief summary
The nucleus (plural, nuclei) may be a charged region at the middle of the atom. It consists of two sorts of subatomic particles packed tightly together. The particles are protons, which have a positive charge , and neutrons, which are neutral in charge . Outside of the nucleus, an atom is usually empty space, with orbiting negative particles called electrons whizzing through it. Size and Mass of the Nucleus The nucleus of the atom is extremely small. Its radius is merely about 1/100,000 of the entire radius of the atom. If an atom were the dimensions of a stadium , the nucleus would be about the dimensions of a pea! Electrons have virtually no mass, but protons and neutrons have tons of mass for his or her size. As a result, the nucleus has virtually all the mass of an atom. Given its great mass and tiny size, the nucleus is extremely dense. If an object the dimensions of a penny had an equivalent density because the nucleus of an atom, its mass would be greater than 30 million tons! Particles with opposite electric charges attract one another . This explains why negative electrons orbit the positive nucleus. Particles with an equivalent charge repel one another . this suggests that the positive protons within the nucleus push aside from each other . So why doesn’t the nucleus fly apart? a good stronger force—called the strong nuclear force—holds protons and neutrons together within the nucleus.
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