Overview

Tom the Atom, Book 2: Atoms are like guys, with big eyes that look at you in surprise and have different round sizes. GOAL: To describe how atoms are formed. Besides, what gives atoms his/her character?Tom-the-Atom introduces to Mary and Henry all naturally existing atoms (92) and their ten families-families are classified by Physical and Chemical similarities. The 92 atoms are organized in a general table (called the Chemical Periodic Table ).Tom-the-Atom explains to Henry and Mary how all atom's bodies are similar in general structure but are different in detail and character. They are similar because the bodies of all atoms have neutrons and protons in their nucleus (or central part) and electrons rotating around their nucleus (in belts or shells or orbitals)-not quite, but like the planets circling the sun! The number of protons inside an atom's belly is matched by the same number of electrons in the atom's shells. Each shell has a maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated. When a shell or belt is full, a new, outer shell will appear that has a maximum number of electrons that it can accommodate, too. The outermost shell's electrons are called VALENCE electrons, and they are essential because they largely dictate the atom's character: If that outermost shell is full to its rim, the atoms will be passive. They will not form a bond to another atom. If atoms have only a few electrons in this outermost shell, they love to lose those electrons and be reduced to their lower full shells. These atoms acquire a positive charge because, by losing electrons, they will have more protons in their belly (which are positive). Atoms that lose electrons an become negative are called Positive Ions or cations. If atoms have more electrons than empty spaces-in their outermost shell- the atoms love to grab electrons to fill that outermost shell, and they will acquire a negative charge because there are now more electrons than protons. These atoms, when they catch electrons, are called Negative Ions or anions. Real thieves!

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