an atom's characteristics are defined by the number of protons in the atom, and different atoms have different

Question

numbers of protons in the nucleus but how can the properties chane by adding more protons, wouldn't you expect that by adding protons you're just making a larger version of what you already have, not changing its characteristics or appearance? how can the universe come down to simply the proton, neutron, electron?

Answer 1

Well your question is actually two questions. Second question is not something that can be answered here in a few paragraphs.



First: if you add more protons to an atom, you have to have equal number of electrons to balance the electrical charge. If you have more electrons then the engergy levels also change. There are finite energy levels that can be occupied by a certain number of electrons. This determines the valence of the atom hence it's affinity to interact with other atoms and hence different properties. For instance Hydrogen has one proton and one electron. Two H atoms always fuse together because 2 electrons are the stable energy level in first orbit. When it meets Oxygen atom(hydrogen combustion) it combines with it to form even more stable compound like water.



Second: Proton, neutron and electron are only 3 of the stable particles in universe. there are multitude of other particles, like quarks, muons, neutrino's, alfa, beta, gamma particles etc. the number of sub particles is staggering and scientist have come up with a quark theory trying to explain all particles with only 6 quarks...And then there is the string theory which is even more crazy that requires like 10 dimensions to explain the universe. Long story short : no one has yet understood the real nature of matter. May be God does !

Answer 2

This is a great question, and not one that has a simple answer. Let me shed some light on the subject, though...



First, the universe comes down to energy. Matter (mass) is energy, but in a different form (similar to water and ice). Think of it as though matter is energy that is captured in a sort of bubble. Once it is matter, it gets properties of gravity, electric charge, and inertia.



Protons stick together in the nucleus with help from neutrons. For each proton, an atom wants an electron to balance its charges. The geometry in an atom, balancing charges, electrical attractions and repulsions, etc. is very complicated, but it is generally defined first by the protons, then the electrons, and finally the bonds with other atoms (as in molecules). Factor in heat and it all goes wild.



The geometry of the electron shells really define the characteristics of the atom.



This is overly simple, but the point is that the protons define the charge of the nucleus, the charge wants to be neutralized by electrons, and the electrons repel each other while being attracted to the nucleus (that they cannot simply crash into). Everything floats, and electrons are shared among atoms. The electrons give the atoms color, magnetic properties, bonding strength, etc.



FYI - protons, neutrons, and (maybe) electrons are made of smaller parts, as well. And those parts may be made of smaller parts. We don't know it all. Yet...

Answer 3

The change in the number of Protons makes an atom vastly different in characteristics.

The number of protons in 1 atom of Hydrogen = 1.

Hydrogen exists as a diatomic molecule making 2 atoms = 2 Protons = Twice the atomic mass.

As protons are added, you're actually increasing the mass as 'Molecular' mass. 500 molecules will be 1,000 Protons (but no Neutrons for normal Hydrogen).

Going as far as Lead, it has 82 Protons which are exactly the same as a Proton in Hydrogen but, it also has 125 Neutrons each of which has the same mass as a Proton.

This gives an atom of Lead an atomic mass of 207. This is 207 times the mass of an atom of Hydrogen.

Each Element has a different number of Protons, Neutrons and Electrons to any other Element which give each one its own Identity and different characteristics to any other Element.

Answer 4

Adding protons, which does change the weight, is one way in which we change compounds. For example, a proton could simply be a hydrogen atom without an electron, and would you not agree that adding hydrogen changes an atom or compound? It would be like saying that you don't change oxygen when you add hydrogen, and it is the exact same thing.

Answer 5

Because the way an atom is charged determines how it bonds.

Answer 6

It is hard to say why. But that is the way it is. Einstein could not explain how light waves could travel in a complete vacuum. However, he was able to disprove the aether theorem. And could not explain why the light still traveled.