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Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, defining the visible universe. Each atom is composed of two essential components: the nucleus and the surrounding electron cloud.
The nucleus, located at the center of the atom, houses protons and neutrons. Protons carry a positive charge, while neutrons are electrically neutral. The strong nuclear force keeps these subatomic particles together, counteracting the repulsive forces between positively charged protons.
Encircling the nucleus is the electron cloud—a swarm of negatively charged electrons. For an atom to be electrically neutral, the number of electrons must equal the number of protons in its nucleus, balancing the overall charge.
