Chemistry students in Laguna Hills are learning the parts of an atom.

An atom can be broken down into three major, distinct pieces: protons, neutrons, and electrons. It can be difficult to remember the parts of the atom at first, but with the help of a tutor, memorizing the parts and their major properties is easy!

Two parts of the atom are in the nucleus: neutrons and protons. These parts bond together within the very center of an atom.

Chemistry tutors may remind their Laguna Hills students that both nucleus and neutron start with the letter “n.”

Also, neutrons have a neutral charge. Students reading along that watched Sesame Street as children just figured out that neutron and neutral also both begin with “n.” A chemistry tutor might also point out that neutrons are the heaviest particles in an atom, having a larger atomic weight than protons or electrons. Protons, which bond with neutrons, are the other portion of a nucleus. Protons have a positive charge. And yes, both protons and positive start with the letter “p.” Protons and neutrons make up the majority of the atomic weight of an atom. Another tidbit, protons and neutrons cannot freely roam about with an atom. They are confined to the nucleus.

Outside of the nucleus are particles called electrons. These particles have a negative charge. A tutor may help a student visualize the electrons circling in three-dimensional rings outside of the nucleus. Electrons are the smallest particle, and contribute the least to an atom’s weight. Electrons cannot enter the nucleus. They stay outside, forming concentric spheres called electron shells.

Chemistry students in Laguna Hills, when reviewing the periodic table, might wonder why elements are assigned various numbers.

A tutor will explain that number refers to the most common isotope of the element, and stands for the number of electrons (and often protons) in the element. For example, a Chemistry tutor will point out that Hydrogen, the first element, has one electron and one proton. One electron = element one.
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