Question

Describe the different parts of an atomic nucleus.

Answer 1

Atoms are the smallest particles into which matter can be divided. They are the smallest units that show the characteristic properties of a particular chemical element. Atoms which possess a net negative or a positive charge are known as ions. Atoms associate to form bonds that give rise to molecules.

Complete answer:
Atoms consist of electrons and a nucleus, which further contains protons and neutrons. Neutrons were discovered in the year $1932$ by James Chadwick.
Electrons are negatively charged particles that are located in electronic shells around the nucleus. Protons are positively charged, whereas neutrons carry no electric charge. The nucleus accounts majorly for the mass of an atom.
The atomic number of an element is the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom of that particular element. Similarly, the mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons present in a single atom of that element. Elements having the same atomic number, but different mass numbers, are known as isotopes. The number of neutrons present in the atoms of two isotopes are different, but they will have the same number of protons.
For example, hydrogen has deuterium and tritium as its two isotopes.
On the other hand, elements having the same mass number, but different atomic numbers are known as isobars. Here, the number of protons are different, but the number of neutrons present in atoms of two isobars is the same.
Several models over the years have been developed to study the structure of an atom.

Note:
The first model of an atom was developed by JJ Thompson. It was followed by Rutherford’s experiment, which ultimately gave rise to Bohr’s model of an atom. In the year $1913$ . The Bohr model was later superseded by the Schrodinger model, which elaborated on the quantum nature of atoms and its properties.