Basic Atomic Structure

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All matter consists of tiny pieces of stuff called atoms. The different kinds of atoms are called
elements, and are listed in a pictorial display called the periodic table of elements. Most people
are familiar with the names of elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, iron, gold, and hydrogen.
Atoms of all elements are made up of three basic building blocks, protons, neutrons, and
electrons.

Periodic table of elements

Protons are positively charged particles, neutrons are uncharged particles, and both are heavy in
the subatomic scheme of things. Electrons are negatively charged particles, and are relatively
light compared to protons and neutrons. Hydrogen is the simplest of the elements; a hydrogen
atom consists of one proton and one electron. The structure of a hydrogen atom can be thought of
as like the earth and its moon. In the center is the large heavy earth, and around it orbits the
smaller moon. Similarly, a heavy proton sits at the center of the hydrogen atom, while the
electron orbits the proton with great speed. All other elements have the same basic structure:
protons and neutrons at the center, and electrons orbiting around. The number of protons in an
atom determines what kind of element the atom is, and it is expected that an atom will have the
same number of electrons as protons in order to balance the atom's charge. Helium, for instance,
has two protons and two electrons.

Hydrogen atom

An atom will keep its protons and neutrons to itself. Atoms will, however, share electrons.
Atoms typically like to keep a neutral charge, so if they borrow an electron from one atom, they
tend to share one out with another atom. Atoms will share electrons with other atoms to form
bonds, creating molecules and compounds, solids and gasses - in short, all matter. In addition,
large numbers of adjacent atoms can share electrons in a long chain, from one atom to the next to
the next, and so forth, creating a flow of electrons. This flow of electrons is what we call
electricity.
So, all matter has electrons, ready to flow, yet electricity is not randomly buzzing everywhere,
zapping stuff. This is because a balance between electric forces, and resistance to electron flow,
are maintained in matter most of the time. In order for electrons to flow, the electric forces must
overcome the resistance to electron flow. When the balance tips, either with greater electric
forces, or with lower resistance to electron flow, electricity is created. The balance between force
and resistance will be quantified in the section on electric circuits. To conclude the discussion of
atomic structure, let us consider the materials in which electrons flow. We can classify matter
into three categories with regard to electron flow, conductors, insulators, and semi-conductors.

Conductors are materials that conduct electricity easily. Very little electric force is required to
cause electron flow in conductors. This is due to electrons called "free electrons", which exist in
the atoms of conductors. "Free electrons" are electrons that are very weakly bonded to the atom.
With very little force, they can be traded to other atoms, or flow to create electricity. Metals such
as copper, silver, and gold are good conductors.

Insulators are quite selfish about sharing their electrons. They have no free electrons, and it
takes a great deal of electric force to get the electrons of an insulator to flow. The flow of
electrons in an insulator is relatively uncommon, and when it does occur it tends to be
accompanied by intense heat, loud noise, melting or explosions, smoke and/or flame. Materials
such as rubber and glass are good insulators.

Semi-conductors are insulators that lack commitment. The atoms of a semi-conductor have no
free electrons; however, they do have an electron that is bonded rather loosely and can be shared
with the application of a moderate electric force. Semi-conductors can conduct electricity at a
certain level without being damaged; however, semi-conductors can be damaged with too much
electric force.

Silicon is the most common semi-conductor. Good insulators, conductors, and semi-conductors
are usually refined materials.