We know that matter to us in our environment seems so versatile, but from a relatively small number of different basic elements. From the elemental units, which in chemical processes can be further broken down, the atoms can demonstrate some 115 varieties, known as elements.


The atoms themselves can be extended to other parts back. They consist of a heavy nucleus with positive charge, the negatively charged electrons known as light electric hull itself binds. The nucleus itself is in turn from protons and neutrons together. As the name expresses neutrons are electrically neutral, the protons on the other hand, bear the same charge as electrons but with opposite (positive) sign.


In a simple idea circulate the electrons on stable orbits around the nucleus like planets around the sun. The difference to the mechanics in our solar system, however, is that on the atomic length scales the movement of particles subject to laws, in our everyday observation are unapproachable.


The consequences can be simplified in the near Bohrschen atomic model. Thereafter, the movement of electrons around the nucleus only on certain tracks and associated circulation energies (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Simplified representation of the atom

When electrons in an atom are bound, therefore, one speaks of the fact that they fill some shells. These represent the permitted paths, each of which only a fixed number of electrons can be occupied.


The particularity of this electron shell is that the outermost shell in the rule of 8 electrons can be filled. This is the basis for specificity of the chemical bonds between atoms in which the elements in the periodic table of elements are divided.



Link to Chapter: Classification of Atoms, The Periodic Table of Elements



The size of an atom with its surrounding electron shell lies in the range 0.1 to 0.5 nm The dimensions of the nucleus are small compared with 100,000 hits.









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