An atom is the basic unit of matter, and it consists of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons are neutral, and electrons carry a negative charge. These subatomic particles are organized in different ways depending on the type of atom and its position in the periodic table of elements.
The arrangement of these particles determines the chemical properties of the element and how it interacts with other atoms. The nucleus, made up of protons and neutrons, is the dense center of the atom, while the electrons orbit the nucleus in electron shells. This atomic structure is foundational to the study of chemistry and physics, affecting everything from chemical reactions to electricity.