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An atom is the complete building block of all elements, each element has its own unique atomic formation. An atom consists of a nucleus with a cloud of electrons surrounding it, and is electrically neutral unless ionised. The nucleus at the center of the atom consists of protons which are positively charged, and neutrons which are uncharged, and these are all bound together by the 'strong nuclear force', which has a very short range so it only is effective within the nucleus. Each chemical element (see the Periodic Table) is defined by a unique number of protons called the Atomic Number, and can have a variable number of neutrons so that there are different isotopes of the same element. The number of electrons in the atom is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus, unless the atom has been ionised.

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An atom is the basic unit of matter composed of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. The nucleus is the central core of an atom containing protons and neutrons, while electrons orbit around it. In summary, the nucleus is a part of an atom, specifically the central region, whereas an atom is the whole structure consisting of the nucleus and electrons.

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Q: What is the difference between an atom and a nucleus?
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What statement best describes the density of an atom's nucleus?

The nucleus of an atom is highly dense, containing nearly all of the atom's mass in a tiny volume. It consists of protons and neutrons packed tightly together. The density of the nucleus is about 100,000 times greater than the overall density of the atom as a whole.


What form of energy that is related to the potential energy stored in bonds between particles in the nucleus of an atom?

Nuclear binding energy is the form of energy related to the potential energy stored in bonds between particles in the nucleus of an atom. It is the energy required to split a nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons.


Are electrons found in the nucleus of a atom?

No, electrons are not found in the nucleus of an atom. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom in specific energy levels. The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons.


How many particles are in the nucleus of an atom of xenon?

For an atom of xenon, the number of particles in the nucleus would be the sum of the protons and neutrons. Xenon has 54 protons and usually around 78 neutrons, so the total number of particles in the nucleus would be around 132.


What is the difference between nuclear force and binding energy?

The nuclear force is the strong force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom. Binding energy, on the other hand, is the energy required to break apart the nucleus into its individual protons and neutrons. In essence, the nuclear force creates the binding energy that keeps the nucleus intact.

Related questions

What is the difference between a proton an electron and a neutron and where can they be found?

a proton is a positively charged particle that is found in the nucleus of an atom, a neutron is a particle that has no charge and is also found in the nucleus of an atom, an electron is a negatively charged atom that is constantly circling the nucleus of an atom.


What is the mass defect?

If you add the exact mass of the protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom you do not get the exact atomic mass of the isotope. The diference is called the mass defect. The difference between the mass of the atomic nucleus and the sum of the masses of the particles within the nucleus is known as the mass defect.


What are the major difference between the plum pudding and planetary models of the atom?

The plum pudding model of an atom has not a nucleus; in 1904 the nucleus, protons, neutrons were not discovered. See the link below.


What is the difference between photon and neutron?

Neutron is a neutral particle present within the nucleus of an atom. Proton is a positively charged particle present within the nucleus of an atom. Photons are particles of light.


What is the difference between an animal nucleus and an atom's nucleus?

Atomic nucleus is a notion of atomic physics and contain protons and neutrons.The nucleus of a biological cell has an extremely different structure, role and composition.


Difference between hydrogen atom and a proton?

A hydrogen atom consists of a proton in its nucleus, along with an electron orbiting around it. A proton is a subatomic particle that is found in the nucleus of an atom and carries a positive charge. In other words, a hydrogen atom is a specific type of atom that contains a proton as one of its components.


What is the difference between nucleus and nucleus?

There is no difference. Both represent the same.


What is the difference between the nucleus and nucleus?

There is no difference. Both represent the same.


What is the difference between neutron and a electorns?

The difference between neutron are neutral, and electrons have a negative change too them. Neutron is a neutral particle that exists in the nucleus of an atom. The year when the neutron was founded was 1932.


What statement best describes the density of an atom's nucleus?

The nucleus of an atom is highly dense, containing nearly all of the atom's mass in a tiny volume. It consists of protons and neutrons packed tightly together. The density of the nucleus is about 100,000 times greater than the overall density of the atom as a whole.


What is the difference between a neutron a proton and a electron?

A nuetron has no charge and resides in the nucleus of an atom along with protons that have a positive charge. Electrons have a negative charge and are in the electron shells around the nucleus.


What is the difference between an atom a molecule and an element?

An atom is a nucleus of protons and neutrons with electrons orbiting around. An element is an atom with a specific amount of protons, neutrons, and electrons. A molecule is a bunch of atoms stuck together.