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Periodic Table & Atomic Structure
Concept · 4 steps · NESA SC4-PRT-01

Inside the Atom

We crack one of last year's tiny particles open and find three even smaller bits inside — and a whole lot of empty space. From building hydrogen one proton at a time, all the way to reading three particle counts backwards into an element, an ion or an isotope. Four short steps, each with its own toy to play with.


1 Where it comes fromAn atom is a dense nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons around it — and it's mostly empty space. Build one and watch the element name appear. 2 How to do itAtomic number = protons (it names the element); mass number = protons + neutrons; a neutral atom has electrons = protons. 3 Where it gets trickyOnly the protons decide the element. Isotopes change neutrons; ions change electrons; the atom is mostly empty space. 4 Out in the wildThe periodic table is built on this — plus carbon dating, medicine, salt and batteries, and reasoning backwards from a charge.