Atom, Ion, Particle Basics for Beginners

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter sleepsleep
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atom Ion Particles
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
2 replies · 6K views
sleepsleep
Messages
21
Reaction score
0
wish for "simple + beginner" explanation for atom, ion and particles and their relationship. thank you.
 

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
In simplest of terms, an atom is the nucleus (protons+neutrons) surrounded by a bunch of electrons (with number protons = number of electrons), so that the atom as a whole is electrically neutral.

An ion is an atom with one or more electrons missing/in excess. Usually, it is the electrons which are the reason for the charge because a lot of energy has to spent in removing protons from the nucleus, while the energy in removing electrons (this process is known as Ionisation, or Ionization if you prefer) is comparatively much less.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionization

Particle is a generic term referring to constituents of the sub-atomic world. For more details, take a look at this site...
http://particleadventure.org/particleadventure/

EDIT: Changed neutrons to electrons
 
Last edited by a moderator:
neutrino said:
Particle is a generic term referring to constituents of the sub-atomic world. For more details, take a look at this site...
http://particleadventure.org/particleadventure/

really nice and great website ! thanks a lot
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

High School Nuclear Reactions: Basics for Beginners

  • brispuss
  • · Replies 3 ·
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3

Undergrad Helium Ion Particle Accelerator

  • dontbearrogant
  • · Replies 16 ·
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
16

High School Voltage & Current: Explaining the Basics for Beginners

  • hendrix7
  • · Replies 11 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
11

Mastering Computer Basics for Beginners

  • just1ve
  • · Replies 16 ·
  • Computing and Technology
Replies
16

Graduate Effects of Electron/Ion Particle Spray on Antennae

  • Titurial
  • · Replies 2 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
2

High School Understanding Capacitor Charging: Basics for Beginners

  • Ashu2912
  • · Replies 1 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
1

High School Understanding Probability: Intuition and Basics for Beginners

  • X89codered89X
  • · Replies 2 ·
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
2

High School Formula Manipulation Basics: A Beginner's Guide

  • rodneyspoon
  • · Replies 3 ·
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
3

High School Free Number Theory Basics for Beginners

  • Feldoh
  • · Replies 12 ·
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
12

Math Proofs Book: Basics for Beginners

  • alba_ei
  • · Replies 3 ·
  • Science and Math Textbooks
Replies
3