Elements

The combination of electrons and protons forming stable atomic structures result in different kinds of elementary substance having specific characteristics. A few examples are the elements hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, copper, and iron. An element is defined as substance that cannot be decomposed any further by chemical action. The atom is the smallest particle of an element that still has the same characteristics as the element. Atom itself is a Greek word meaning a particle too small to be subdivided. As an example of the fact that atoms are to small to be visible, a particle of carbon the size of a pinpoint contains many billions of atoms. The electrons and protons within the atom are even smaller.

Table lists some more examples of elements. These are just a few out of a total of 106. Notice how the elements are grouped. The metals listed across the top row are all good conductors of electricity. Each has an atomic structure with an unstable outside ring that allows many free electrons.

The semiconductors have 4 electrons in the outermost ring. This means they neither gain or lose electrons but share them with similar atoms. The reason is that 4 is exactly halfway to the stable condition of 8 electrons in the outside ring.

The inert gases have a complete outside ring of 8 electrons, which makes them chemically inactive. Remember that 8 electrons in the outside ring is a stable structure. An example is neon.