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Subatomic Particles (Simplified) definitions

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  • Atom
    A structure composed of a nucleus surrounded by electrons, forming the basic unit of matter.
  • Nucleus
    A dense, tiny region at the center of an atom containing nearly all its mass from protons and neutrons.
  • Subatomic Particle
    A component of atoms, including neutrons, protons, and electrons, each with distinct mass and charge.
  • Neutron
    A neutral particle found in the nucleus, slightly heavier than a proton, contributing to atomic mass.
  • Proton
    A positively charged particle in the nucleus, nearly equal in mass to a neutron, defining atomic identity.
  • Electron
    A negatively charged, extremely light particle orbiting the nucleus, balancing atomic charge.
  • Atomic Mass Unit
    A standard for measuring atomic and subatomic masses, equal to 1/12 the mass of a carbon atom.
  • Dalton
    A unit of mass for atoms and molecules, numerically identical to the atomic mass unit.
  • Relative Mass
    A comparison of a particle's mass to the atomic mass unit, allowing easy mass calculations.
  • Actual Mass
    The measured mass of a particle in kilograms, used for precise scientific calculations.
  • Relative Charge
    A comparison of a particle's electric charge to a standard, such as +1 for protons and -1 for electrons.
  • Conversion Factor
    A numerical value, such as 1.66 x 10^-27 kg per AMU, used to switch between units of mass.
  • Density
    A measure of how much mass is packed into a given volume, especially high in the atomic nucleus.