By the end of quarter 1 i've learnt about the building blocks of matter and the other sub topics that derive from it. These building blocks are what make up the universe and they're known as atoms; the smallest particles that cannot be further divided into another substance. Within these atoms can be found a nucleus and a quickly moving cloud of electrons (negatively charged) around it. Inside the nucleus of the atoms are an equal amount of protons (positively charged) and neutrons (there are some atoms with an uneven amount of protons and neutrons, this is known as the formation of isotopes meaning an unstable element has been formed- a radioactive element).
The amount of protons in its atom is what is considered the identity of the atom and is what determine what element it is. As of now there are 118 known elements, these elements have been categorized into a table by numerous factors like increasing number of protons, electronegativity levels etc. But to be really general the numbers on top of the columns, are called group numbers, which represents the number of electrons are in its valence shell and the numbers by the rows are known as the period numbers, which represent the number of orbitals the elements in this row contain. It was first introduced by Dmitri Mendeleev but was then altered to make what we call now the modern periodic table.
And all of these elements we have in our periodic table are elements that we can find in our bodies, in our everyday life, in the soil that we walk on and so much more. My understanding of this topic has grown, remarkably. I walked into 8th grade knowing pretty much just about how atoms are what make up everything and that inside are protons and neutrons, that was it. Yes, we can find evidence in our environment of activity in these building blocks since they make up everything around us- and they also make up us, as well.
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