What is meant by subatomic particles ? Give brief information of three subatomic particles with reference tomelectrical charge mass and location.
Subatomic particles are the most elementary particles found in nature. The three basic subatomic particles that comprise an atom are protons, electrons, and neutrons. The historical definition of a subatomic particle was expanded over the past several decades to include elementary particles that are less complex than an atom and cannot be broken down further. The modern definition of subatomic particles breaks all of them down into either leptons or quarks. Subatomic Particles that Make up an Atom Electron The electron was the first subatomic particle discovered in 1896. U.K. Physicist JJ Thomson made the discovery while he was conducting an experiment with cathode rays. After determining the electron’s mass and charge, it was determined that they make up 0.06% of an atom’s mass. The electron’s mass is considered negligible and the elementary charge (negative) and angular momentum are constant. The electron has a magnetic field while in motion and absorbs and radiates energy in the form of a photon. It is also responsible for chemical bond formation between two or more elements through the exchange or sharing of electrons.
Proton Ernest Rutherford discovered the proton in 1918 while conducting an experiment where he took alpha particles and bombarded nitrogen gas with them. The particles have a positive charge and help to form an atom’s nucleus when combined with a neutron. The proton is one of the most stable sub-atomic particles and helps to determine the identity of an atomic element.
Neutron The neutron and proton form an atom’s nucleus. James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932. Neutrons have no natural charge and their mass slightly exceeds the proton’s. An atomic element’s isotope is determined by the total amount of neutrons in the nucleus. When a neutron is in a free state, it undergoes a rapid beta decay and has a lifespan of less than 15 minutes.
The electron was the first subatomic particle discovered in 1896. U.K. Physicist JJ Thomson made the discovery while he was conducting an experiment with cathode rays. After determining the electron’s mass and charge, it was determined that they make up 0.06% of an atom’s mass. The electron’s mass is considered negligible and the elementary charge (negative) and angular momentum are constant. The electron has a magnetic field while in motion and absorbs and radiates energy in the form of a photon. It is also responsible for chemical bond formation between two or more elements through the exchange or sharing of electrons.
ProtonErnest Rutherford discovered the proton in 1918 while conducting an experiment where he took alpha particles and bombarded nitrogen gas with them. The particles have a positive charge and help to form an atom’s nucleus when combined with a neutron. The proton is one of the most stable sub-atomic particles and helps to determine the identity of an atomic element.
NeutronThe neutron and proton form an atom’s nucleus. James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932. Neutrons have no natural charge and their mass slightly exceeds the proton’s. An atomic element’s isotope is determined by the total amount of neutrons in the nucleus. When a neutron is in a free state, it undergoes a rapid beta decay and has a lifespan of less than 15 minutes.
