Atoms
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Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, composed of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Key subtopics include:
Atomic Structure
Nucleus: Contains protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral).
Electrons: Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus in energy levels or shells.
Atomic Number & Mass
Atomic Number: Number of protons (defines the element).
Mass Number: Sum of protons and neutrons.
Isotopes
Variants of an element with the same atomic number but different neutron counts (e.g., Carbon-12 vs. Carbon-14).
Electron Configuration
Arrangement of electrons in shells/subshells (e.g., 2, 8, 8 pattern for stable atoms).
Chemical Bonding
Interactions between atoms via ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds to form molecules/compounds.
Quantum Mechanical Model
Describes electron behavior as probability clouds (orbitals) rather than fixed paths.
Radioactivity
Unstable nuclei emit particles/energy (alpha, beta, gamma decay).
Periodic Trends
Patterns in atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity across the periodic table.