Atomic Structure Basics
Everything you see, touch, and breathe is made of atoms - the fundamental building blocks of all matter. Think of them as incredibly tiny Lego bricks that combine in different ways to create everything in the universe.
Elements are pure substances made of identical atoms, each with the same number of protons. Iron, oxygen, and carbon are all elements - they can't be broken down into simpler substances. Compounds form when different types of atoms chemically bond together, like iron and oxygen combining to create iron oxide (rust).
Inside every atom, you'll find three types of subatomic particles. Protons carry a positive charge and sit in the nucleus, neutrons have no charge and also live in the nucleus, and electrons are negatively charged particles that whizz around the nucleus in energy levels called shells.
Key Point: The nucleus is incredibly small but contains nearly all the atom's mass - imagine a marble in the centre of a football stadium!
