This deep dive covers Inside the Atom within Atomic Structure for GCSE Physics. Revise Atomic Structure in Atomic Structure for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 25 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 2 of 12 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 2 of 12
Practice
13 questions
Recall
25 flashcards
🏗️ Inside the Atom
An atom is made of three types of subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons cluster together in a tiny, dense nucleus at the centre. Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells (energy levels) at relatively vast distances.
Think of the atom like a tiny solar system: the nucleus is the Sun, and electrons are planets orbiting far out. The "solar system" model isn't perfectly accurate, but it captures the key idea — almost all the mass is at the centre, and almost all the volume is empty space.
Quick Check: Where is almost all of an atom's mass concentrated?
In the nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons. Electrons have negligible mass.