What are the main components of an atom?

Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. They are composed of three main components: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and neutrons are located at the center of the atom, known as the nucleus, while the electrons orbit around the nucleus in shells or energy levels.

The protons are positively charged particles, while the neutrons are neutral particles. The number of protons in an atom determines what element it is. For example, all atoms with 6 protons are carbon atoms. The neutrons help to stabilize the nucleus and do not have a direct effect on the element.

Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus. They are located in shells or energy levels, and each shell can hold a maximum number of electrons. The innermost shell can hold up to 2 electrons, while the next shell can hold up to 8 electrons. The number of electrons in the outermost shell determines how the atom interacts with other atoms and how it behaves chemically.