subatomic particles

Alpha particles

Mass: He nucleus (2 protons + 2 neutrons)

Positively charged

Attracted to negative electrode

Beta particle

Mass: electron (this is due to it being basically electrons

Attracted to positive electrodes

Smaller than alpha particles

Gamma ray

Collection of photons (won’t have mass or charge)

Has higher energy and frequency compared to other particles

Protons

Mass: 1.0073 amu (very similar in mass to neutrons)

Positively charged

Represents atomic number for elements (thus they will stay the same throughout isotopes and ions)

Part of identifying the elements’ mass (p + n)

Neutron

Mass: 1.0087 amu (very similar in mass to protons)

No charge

Amount can sometimes differ (creates isotopes)

Part of identifying the elements’ mass (p + n)

Electrons

Mass: 5.86 × 10^-4 amu