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Some atoms can either gain or lose electrons (the number of protons never changes in an atom). > An atom is called electrically neutral as atom of an element has equal number of protons and neutrons.Ītoms, however, can have electrical charges. The centrigugal force of the spinning electron keeps the two particles from coming into contact with each other much as the earth's rotation keeps it from plunging into the sun. The electron is constantly spinning around the center of the atom (called the nucleus). What keeps the two from crashing into each other? The particles in an atom are not still.

> The proton and electron have opposite electrical charges that attract each other. > Protons and neutrons are located at the centre of the atom and this center part is called Nucleus. Neutrons are large and heavy like protons, however neutrons have no electrical charge.Įach atom is made up of a combination of these particles. Protons are much larger and heavier than electrons and have the opposite charge, protons have a positive charge(+). Electrons are tiny, very light particles that have a negative electrical charge (-).Ģ. These particles have different properties.ġ. These atoms are made up of three sub-atomic particles: Atoms were particles of elements, substances that could not be broken down further:
