Learn more physics!
Q:
I need a picture of an magensium atom.
- Casey Mitchell (age 13)
Bandera Middle School, Bandera, Texas USA
A:
Casey -
Each atom of magnesium has a nucleus in the middle
with twelve protons and twelve neutrons all packed together. Spinning
around the nucleus are twelve electrons in three 'orbits.' The first
orbit (closest to the nucleus) has two electrons in it. The second one
has eight, and the outside orbit has the last two.
This is a picture of magnesium from
Webelements.com.
The big problem with this picture is that it makes it look like the
electrons are a lot bigger than the nucleus, when they're actually a
lot smaller:
You can also find some good pictures and a better explanation of how the atom works by looking at the answer to the question
Picture of an Atom -Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)
Follow-up on this answer.
