ATOMIC STRUCTURE VOCABULARY
WORD
Definition
ATOM
The smallest particle of an element that keeps the properties of that
element
ELEMENT
A pure substance made of only one type of atom
MOLECULE
The smallest particle of a compound that keeps the properties of that
compound
COMPOUND
A pure substance made of only one type of molecule; particles are atoms
bonded together – molecules
PROTON
One of the particles found in the nucleus of an atom; contains a positive
charge
NEUTRON
One of the particles found in the nucleus of an atom; contains a neutral
charge (no charge)
ELECTRON
One of the three particles that make up an atom; found in the area
surrounding the nucleus of the atom; has a negative charge
NUCLEUS
The center of an atom; consists of protons and neutrons held together by a
strong force; accounts for the mass of the atom
ELECTRON
CLOUD
Term used to describe the area where the electrons are located outside the
nucleus of an atom
ATOMIC MASS
UNIT
The value used to describe the mass of a proton or a neutron
ATOMIC STRUCTURE VOCABULARY