Curriculum
Science — First Preparatory
Unit 1: Matter
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Unit 2: Forces
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Unit 3: Life
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Unit 4: Earth and Space
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Text lesson
Structure of the Atom
Structure of the Atom
Common mistakes
Common mistakes
- Confusing the atomic number with the mass number. The atomic number counts protons only; the mass number counts protons and neutrons.
- Placing electrons inside the nucleus. Electrons move outside the nucleus in energy levels.
- Forgetting that neutrons have no charge, and treating them as charged particles.
- Writing the electron count of an ion without adjusting it. A positive ion has fewer electrons than protons; a negative ion has more.
Structure of the Atom · 5 / 6