Chapter 3 Introduction
Matter is made up of atoms, and atoms are made up of even smaller, subatomic particles. This image shows the interactions of subatomic particles in a bubble chamber of liquid hydrogen.
CERN/Science Source
CHAPTER 3
A World of Particles
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In this chapter, you will study
models of the atom
how atoms differ from one another
nuclear reactions
how elements are created
All matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms. Based on their observations, chemists agree that atoms themselves are composed of even tinier structures: a nucleus with electrons orbiting around it. So what exactly are atoms, and what does the structure of atoms tell you about matter?