Kitchen Chemistry: Atoms (P.5-13)

The correct answer is "All of the above" because an atom is composed of three main parts: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons have a positive charge, neutrons have no charge, and electrons have a negative charge. These three particles together make up the structure of an atom.

The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons. Protons have a positive charge and are responsible for determining the atomic number of an element. Neutrons have no charge and contribute to the mass of the atom. Electrons, on the other hand, are found in the electron cloud surrounding the nucleus and have a negative charge. Photons, on the other hand, are particles of light and are not part of the structure of an atom.

Water is not an element because it is a compound made up of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Neon, carbon, and calcium are all elements as they consist of only one type of atom.

Graphite, diamond, and bucky tubes are made of only the element carbon. Graphite is a form of carbon that consists of layers of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. Diamond is another form of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in a rigid, three-dimensional lattice structure. Bucky tubes, also known as carbon nanotubes, are cylindrical structures made entirely of carbon atoms. On the other hand, water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, not carbon, so it is not made of only carbon.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that diamonds and graphite are both made up of carbon atoms, but the arrangement of these atoms is different. In diamonds, the carbon atoms are arranged in a crystal lattice structure, which gives diamonds their hardness and clarity. On the other hand, graphite has a layered structure, where the carbon atoms are arranged in sheets or layers. This arrangement makes graphite soft and slippery, and it is commonly used as a lubricant. Therefore, the only difference between diamonds and graphite on a molecular level is the way their atoms are put together.

A bucky ball is a spherical molecule made up of carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of both pentagons and hexagons. The pentagons and hexagons form a unique geometric structure known as a fullerene, specifically a truncated icosahedron. This arrangement gives the bucky ball its distinctive shape and properties.