* Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter.
* Subatomic particles are the smaller components that make up atoms.
The three main subatomic particles are:
1. Protons: Positively charged particles found in the atom's nucleus. The number of protons determines the element (e.g., 6 protons = carbon).
2. Neutrons: Neutrally charged particles found in the atom's nucleus. They contribute to the atom's mass.
3. Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in a cloud-like region called the electron cloud. They are much smaller than protons and neutrons and contribute to the atom's chemical properties.
There are also other, less common subatomic particles, such as quarks, which make up protons and neutrons.
