Question

an atom is an example of a system, or a group of objects that interact with each other. scientists often use a model to represent a system that is complex or difficult to observe. the goal of a model is to make a system easier to understand.

because atoms are so hard to see, people use atomic models to represent the way protons, neutrons, and electrons are arranged in an atom.

the diagram below is an example of an atomic model. in this model, a positive electrical charge is shown with the plus symbol (+) and a negative electrical charge is shown with the minus symbol (−).

use the words below to label each part of the model.

proton electron atom neutron

Explanation:

1. The large circular region (the left - most label) represents the entire atom, so it should be labeled "atom".
2. The particles with the plus symbol (+) in the nucleus are protons, so the label pointing to the yellow (+) particles is "proton".
3. The gray particles in the nucleus (with no charge shown) are neutrons, so the label pointing to the gray particles is "neutron".
4. The small blue particles orbiting the nucleus (with the minus symbol implied as electrons are negative) are electrons, so the labels pointing to the blue orbiting particles are "electron".

Answer:

• Left - most label: atom
• Label pointing to yellow (+) particles: proton
• Label pointing to gray particles: neutron
• Labels pointing to blue orbiting particles: electron