What is an element?

An element is a `pure substance` consisting of atoms of the same kind. Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances, but they can combine with other elements to make new substance. Each element  has a unique symbol, for example, `O` means oxygen, `Na` means sodium (Latin: naturium),and `Cl` means chlorine. The number of protons in the atomic nucleus determines the element. The number is called the atomic number of the element. 

Read More

What is an atom?

The term atom from the Greek word atomos , meaning

Indivisible earlier it  was considered that   atoms were the smallest unit of a substance and could not be split further. today, we know that atoms can be further

Split into smaller particles. An atom is made up of the atomic nucleus, which consists of positively charged protons and an equal number of neutrons, and atomic shells. These are occupied by negatively charged electrons, which move at high speeds around the atomic nucleus –like planets around the sun.

(A carbon atom(c). there are twelve particles in the nucleus: six protons and six neutrons. Six electrons move in two shell-like areas around the nucleus the number of protons determines the element.)      

 

Read More