How to calculate the subatomic particles of an atom: here are some theoretical notions on this type of particles and how to do the calculations with an example.
Since the 7th century BC, man began to observe and question the behavior of certain materials and the manifestation of natural phenomena related to them, such as the electrical ones typical of lightning . Having verified the presence of these charges, it remained to understand what was the cause of their movement. Later, it was discovered that matter was composed of small particles commonly called atoms and only later were subatomic particles discovered .
Analyze particle charges
The electric charges of the subatomic particles to be analyzed are of two types: positive and negative . If they have the same sign, (–) and/or (++) they repel each other, while if they have opposite signs (-+) and/or (+-) they attract each other. The electric charges move from one body to another, and in the case of subatomic particles (negative charges) they are grouped into the category of electrons.
Protons are other subatomic particles that have positive charges. From this it can be deduced that in order to obtain a neutral atom , the number of electrons must be equal to that of protons. The third of the subatomic particles is finally the one known as neutron that does not have any electric charge.
Finding the atomic number
The atom is generally composed of the nucleus that contains protons and neutrons therefore positively charged, and the perinucleus (empty space around the nucleus) occupied by the moving electrons arranged in layers or shells. Each type of atom is characterized by a number called atomic and which serves to indicate the quantity of protons and electrons that it possesses. In this regard it should also be added that by consulting a specific text (or specific websites) we can find the atomic number at the bottom left of the symbol of the chemical element. In reference to the latter, it is important to underline another concept, that of mass number. Specifically, it is the sum of two subatomic particles, namely protons and neutrons.
Knowing the isotopes in the atom
To calculate the number of neutrons present in the nucleus of a given chemical element, simply subtract the atomic number from the mass number. To give an example, let’s take as a reference a chemical element N (nitrogen) with atomic number 7 and mass 23, which will give us the following result in terms of the number of neutrons: 23 – 7 = 16.
At this point we identify the atomic number of protons and electrons on the periodic table of elements . This observation is part of the so-called isotopic calculations and is particularly useful when knowing the quantity of atoms present in subatomic particles, the number of protons and electrons is always equal to the atomic number.
