CIRCUIT ANALYSIS_UNIT4B_Atomic Structure

Atom

The smallest particle of an element that retains the characteristics of that element.

Atomic Number

Represents the number of protons found in the atom and defines the element.

Neutral Atom

An atom in which the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons.

Valence Electrons

Electrons with the highest energy levels that exist in the outmost shell of an atom and are relatively loosely bound.

Energy Gap

The difference in energy between the valence band and the conduction band.

Conductor

A material that readily allows current flow due to a large number of free electrons.

Insulator

A material that poor conducts electric current and prevents the flow of current.

Semiconductor

A material that has fewer free electrons, typically with four valence electrons.

Electron Shells

The orbits in which electrons orbit the nucleus at certain distances, corresponding to certain energy levels.

Bohr Model

A model that describes the atom as having a central nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.

Proton

A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

An uncharged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Conductive Materials

Materials like copper, silver, aluminum that have one to three valence electrons allowing for easy current flow.

Electron Flow

The movement of electrons that constitutes electric current.

Periodic Table

A table that lists all known elements according to their atomic number.

Chemical Bonding

The process by which atoms combine to form compounds, involving valence electrons.