Atoms - The Basics
Understanding the atom is an important step in understanding the universe. Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter. Studying the atom and its particles -- the electron, proton, and neutron -- allows you to better understand what makes up the universe. The periodic table organizes all the elements and gives the characteristics of the atoms that make up the elements. By knowing such characteristics as the atomic number, you can come to know the number of protons and electrons in an atom. When an electron absorbs energy and becomes excited, then releases that energy, it emits light that tells more about the composition of that element. Astronomers use this information to study the composition of celestial objects, such as the stars, even though they cannot easily gather a sample of the actual star.
Extend Your Learning
Now that you have completed this topic, return to the Build an Atom simulation that you used in this topic's Application. On the Build an Atom webpage, click on the option for Game. Choose from one of the games provided by the University of Colorado to practice your atom knowledge.