Composition of the nucleus of the atom. The nucleus of an atom

The questions "What does matter consist of?", "What is the nature of matter?" Always occupied humanity. Since ancient times, philosophers and scientists have sought answers to these questions, creating both realistic and absolutely amazing and fantastic theories and hypotheses. However, literally a century ago, humanity came to the solution of this mystery as close as possible, revealing the atomic structure of matter. But what is the composition of the nucleus of the atom? What is it all about?

From theory to reality

By the beginning of the twentieth century, the atomic structure ceased to be only a hypothesis, but became an absolute fact. It turned out that the composition of the nucleus of the atom is a very complicated concept. It includes electric charges. But the question arose: the composition of the atom and the atomic nucleus include a different number of these charges or not?

Planetary model

Initially, it was represented that the atom was built very similar to our solar system. However, it quickly turned out that such a view is not entirely true. The problem of purely mechanical transfer of the astronomical scale of the picture to an area that occupies millions of parts of a millimeter has entailed a significant and dramatic change in the properties and qualities of phenomena. The main difference was the much more stringent laws and rules on which the atom was built.

Disadvantages of the planetary model

First, since atoms of one genus and element in terms of parameters and properties must be exactly the same, the orbits of the electrons of these atoms must also be identical. However, the laws of motion of astronomical bodies could not provide answers to these questions. The second contradiction is that the motion of an electron in an orbit, if we apply the well-studied physical laws to it, must necessarily be accompanied by a permanent release of energy. As a result, this process would lead to depletion of the electron, which eventually would fade and even fall on the core.

The wave structure of the mother and

In 1924, the young aristocrat Louis de Broglie put forward an idea that turned the views of the scientific community about such issues as the structure of the atom, the composition of atomic nuclei. The idea was that an electron is not just a moving ball that rotates around the nucleus. It is a fuzzy substance that moves according to laws resembling the propagation of waves in space. Quite quickly this idea extended to the movement of any body as a whole, explaining that we notice only one side of this very movement, but the second does not actually manifest itself. We can see the wave propagation and not notice the movement of the particle, or vice versa. In fact, both sides of the motion always exist, and the rotation of the electron in the orbit is not only the displacement of the charge itself, but also the propagation of waves. This approach is fundamentally different from the previously adopted planetary model.

Elementary framework

The nucleus of an atom is the center. Around it and rotate electrons. The properties of the nucleus are due to everything else. To speak of such a concept as the composition of the nucleus of an atom is necessary from the most important moment - from the charge. A certain number of electrons are observed in the composition of the atom, which carry a negative charge. The nucleus itself has a positive charge. From this we can draw certain conclusions:

1. The nucleus is a charged particle.
2. Around the nucleus there is a pulsating atmosphere created by charges.
3. It is the nucleus and its characteristics that determine the number of electrons in the atom.

Kernel Properties

Copper, glass, iron, wood have the same electrons. An atom can lose a pair of electrons or even all. If the nucleus remains positively charged, it can attract the right amount of negatively charged particles from other bodies, which will allow it to survive. If an atom loses a certain number of electrons, then the positive charge of the nucleus will be greater than the remainder of the negative charges. In this case, the entire atom will acquire an excess charge, and it can be called a positive ion. In some cases, an atom can attract more electrons, and then it will become negatively charged. Consequently, it can be called a negative ion.

How much does an atom weigh ?

The mass of the atom is mainly determined by the nucleus. Electrons, which are part of the atom and atomic nucleus, Weigh less than one thousandth of the total mass. Since the mass is considered a measure of the energy reserve that a substance possesses, this fact is considered extremely important in studying such a question as the composition of the nucleus of an atom.

Radioactivity

The most difficult questions appeared after the discovery of X-rays. Radioactive elements emit alpha, beta and gamma waves. But such radiation must have a source. Rutherford in 1902 showed that such a source is the atom itself, or rather, the nucleus. On the other hand, radioactivity is not only the emission of rays, but also the translation of one element into another, with completely new chemical and physical properties. That is, radioactivity is a change in the nucleus.

What do we know about the nuclear structure?

Almost a hundred years ago the physicist Prout advanced the idea that elements in the periodic system are not incoherent forms, but are combinations of hydrogen atoms. Therefore, it could be expected that both charges and masses of nuclei will be expressed in terms of whole and multiple charges of hydrogen itself. However, this is not quite true. Studying the properties of atomic nuclei by means of electromagnetic fields, physicist Aston established that elements whose atomic weights were not integral and multiple, in fact - a combination of different atoms, rather than one substance. In all cases, when the atomic weight is not an integer, we observe a mixture of different isotopes. What it is? If we talk about the composition of the nucleus of the atom, the isotopes are atoms with identical charges, but with different masses.

Einstein and the nucleus of the atom

The theory of relativity says that mass is not a measure by which the quantity of matter is determined, but the measure of energy that matter has. Accordingly, matter can be measured not by mass, but by the charge that makes up this matter, and by the charge energy. When the same charge approaches another the same, the energy will increase, in the opposite case - decrease. This, of course, does not mean a change in matter. Accordingly, from this position the nucleus of the atom is not a source of energy, but rather a residue after its isolation. Hence, there is some contradiction.

Neutrons

The Curie couple, when bombarded with alpha particles of beryllium, discovered some incomprehensible rays that, colliding with the nucleus of an atom, repel it with great force. However, they are able to pass through a large thickness of matter. This contradiction was resolved by the fact that the given particle turned out to have a neutral electric charge. Accordingly, it was called a neutron. Thanks to further research, it turned out that the mass of a neutron is almost the same as that of a proton. In general, the neutron and proton are incredibly similar. In view of this discovery, it could definitely be established that the proton and neutrons enter the atomic nucleus, and in equal amounts. Everything gradually fell into place. The number of protons is atomic number. Atomic weight is the sum of the masses of neutrons and protons. An isotope can also be called an element in which the number of neutrons and protons will not be equal to each other. As already mentioned above, in this case, although the element remains factually the same, its properties can significantly change.