The Building Blocks of Matter

In this first quarter in science we have learned a lot of things I didn't know. Before entering 8th grade I only knew that there were atoms, and that matter is what makes up everything in our universe, if you were to have asked me what do Alkaline Metals and Halogens have a in common, I would have stared at you seriously debating with myself if you were human or not. Now if you were to ask me where to find "aurom" I would quickly respond Transition Metals.

Now Matter. Matter is as simple as this... Matter = Everything. So what that means is that matter is found everywhere , you yourself are made out of matter. Everything is made up of matter that toilet paper you use everyday (hopefully), that desk you sit in at school. Everything is made up of matter. Now maybe your wondering "Oh great now I know what everything is made out of #Matter. But what is matter made up of?" And great thing that you asked, because that's what I'm going to tell you.

Atoms. Atoms are the building block of matter. So in other words without atoms no matter and without matter no life. #Matter Matters. Ok so next there are many different types of atoms and the way we remember all of these types of atoms is thanks to Mr. Dimitri Mendeleev, The inventor of the first periodic table, of course we humans are kind of perfectionist and so when we noticed something thing wrong with the periodic table we had to Fix it. Mr. Mendeleev's periodic table was ordered by atomic mass_ wait! I still haven't explained to you the structure of an atom, oh how silly of me. Now I know you are probably like what are atoms made up of well.. Atoms are made up of 3 things (easy to remember), P.E.N! "Wait What?" I Know thats probably what your thinking but let me explain P.E.N os just an abbreviation for Protons (Positively charged particles), Electrons (Negatively charged particles) and Neutrons (Neutral Particles AKA they have no charge whatsoever). Protons and Neutrons are located in the nucleus AKA the center of the atom. While Electrons are outside the nucleus in something called the electron cloud it is called that because, electrons are moving so fast that they can bearly located them so they just named the area in which they pass. One thing that I find it cool is that an atoms has the same amount of electrons as it does neutrons so you only really need to know one to figure out the other #Helpful. Now as I was saying about the periodic table the original (Old) was ordered by Atomic mass which is the amount of Protons and Neutron in the nucleus. But that method didn't quite work because of a flaw with I and Te. Anyway scientist decided to change to make it easier for people so first they change the way they ordered thing by putting the elements in order from Atomic Number (Number of protons in the nucleus) with this new method everything still fitted perfectly into place and the I and Te flaw disappeared.

Matter relates to our environment today because matter is found everywhere and anywhere. We learned that rusting is a chemical change because it changes what used to be an element into a different element. Let's take iron for an example. Iron goes through oxidation AKA Rusting when it is affected by air moisture or water. Then it goes through a chemical change and changes the elements Color and texture. ​​

-Daniela Zuniga Ramirez​

 Science project

​