What Do You Know About The Structure Of Atom?

Until the end of 19th century, scientists thought that the atom itself was the smallest possible thing of which matter was composed. They thought that an atom could not be broken down into smaller particles. In 1897, the British Physicist, Sir Joseph Thomson, discovered that atoms do contain smaller particles which he called electrons. Electrons are negatively charged particles that are found in a cloud around the core of the atom that is called the Nucleus.

The paths of these electrons are referred to as shells, orbitals, or energy levels. Energy level may be the most appropriate term because electrons change position depending upon the amount of energy present. Also the movement of electrons is likely to be more of vibration in a general area that moving in a circular orbit. The number and arrangement of these electrons determine the chemical properties of elements and compounds. Chemical reactions occur because of the gaining, losing or sharing of electrons between atoms.

In 1919, the British scientist Sir Ernest Rutherford discovered the Proton, a positively charged particle in the nucleus of the atom. The Proton is much more massive than the electron. In 1932, the British Scientist James C. Chadwick discovered the neutron, another particle in the nucleus of the atom.