Lets start with another question: What is matter?
Normal matter is made up of atoms
Atoms are made up of electrically charged particles.
Protons (positive charge) and Neutrons (neutral)
- Massive
- Stay in the center of the atom (nucleus)
- Held together by strong and weak nuclear force
Electrons (negative) “orbit” the nucleus
- Usually an atom is neutral (# electrons=# protons)
- Like gravitational potential energy, there is a potential energy of the electron (called binding energy)
- Only certain specific “orbits” are allowed (specific energy levels) (Term: Quantized)
- By adding or subtracting energy you can make the electrons jump between levels.
- By adding enough energy you can make an electron leave entirely (ionization). Result: a charged atom (an ion)