Question

What are the components of an atom?

Answer 1

Hint : The basic elements of an atom are only three, namely, proton, neutron and electron. These elements are not the smallest part of an atom, protons and neutrons are made up of another smaller particle called quarks.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Everything in this world is made up of atoms, and atoms were considered as the fundamental particle which cannot be divided into further part for a long time. But, as the technology developed, it was found out that even atoms are made up of some smaller particles.
An atom consists of the following things:
1. Electrons
2. Protons
3. Neutrons.
Protons and neutrons are packed inside something called a nucleus which is at the center of an atom. Electrons revolve around the nucleus in an orderly manner.
The nucleus is so packed that it has almost no space inside, but the atom is mostly empty as the electrons that revolve around the nucleus are widespread.
Protons are positively charged particles, electrons are negatively charged particles and neutrons have no charge. Electrons revolve around the nucleus because of the electric force between electron and proton.
Generally, there are equal numbers of protons and electrons in any atom, but an ion has either of them more or less depending upon its charge. Although the number of neutrons can vary with the variation in an element.
Recently it has been found out that even protons and neutrons are not the fundamental particles. Protons and neutrons are made up of fundamental particles called quarks. But, electrons are still considered as one of the fundamental particles as it has not been found out that they are also made up of something smaller.

Note :
The basic elements of an atom are proton, neutron and electron, but they are also made up of something smaller called quarks. Thus, in today’s world, quarks and electrons are considered as fundamental particles which cannot be divided into smaller particles.