Atoms are the smallest units of each element and the building blocks of matter. Here's how to make a model of an atom.
Learn the Parts of the Atom
The first step is to learn the parts of an atom so you know how the model should look. Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. A simple traditional atomcontains an equal number of each type of particle. Helium, for example, is shown using 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 2 electrons.
The form of an atom is due to the electric charge of its parts. Each proton has one positive charge. Each electron has one negative charge. Each neutron is neutral or carries no electric charge. Like charges repel each other while opposite charges attract each other, so you might expect the protons and electrons to stick to each other. That's not how it works out, because there is a force that holds protons and neutrons together. The electrons are attracted to the core of protons/neutrons, but it's like being in orbit around the Earth. You are attracted to the Earth by gravity, but when you're in orbit, you perpetually fall around the planet rather than down to the surface.
How To Model an Atom of a Particular Element
If you want to make a model of a particular element, take a look at a periodic table. Every element in the periodic table has an atomic number. For example, hydrogen is element number 1 and carbon is element number 6. The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom of that element. So, you know you need 6 protons to make a model of carbon. To make a carbon atom, make 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Bundle the protons and neutrons together to make the nucleus and put the electrons outside the atom. Note that the model gets slightly more complicated when you have more than 2 electrons (if you're trying to model as realistically as possible), because only 2 electrons fit into the inner shell. You can use an electron configuration chart to determine how many electrons to put into the next shell. Carbon has 2 electrons in the inner shell and 4 electrons in the next shell. You could further subdivide the electron shells into their subshells, if you wish. The same process can be used to make models of heavier elements.
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