atoms are held together by the attraction between what
Atoms are held together by the attraction between their positively charged atomic nucleus and their negatively charged electrons. This attraction is known as the electromagnetic force. To understand this concept further, let's take a look at the structure of an atom.
In the center of an atom is a small, dense region called the atomic nucleus, which contains positively charged particles called protons and uncharged particles called neutrons. Around the nucleus, we find negatively charged particles called electrons.
The attractive force between the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons is what keeps the electrons in orbit around the nucleus. This force is known as the electrostatic force, which is a fundamental force of nature.
The electrons are arranged in different energy levels or shells around the nucleus. The innermost shell can hold a maximum of two electrons, while the subsequent shells have higher capacities. The electrons closest to the nucleus have lower energy levels, while those in the outer shells have higher energy levels.
Atoms strive to have stable configurations by filling their outermost shell with the maximum number of electrons. This is known as the octet rule. Atoms achieve stability by either gaining, losing, or sharing electrons with other atoms.
When two or more atoms come together, they form a chemical bond. There are different types of chemical bonds, including ionic, covalent, and metallic. Each type of bond involves the attraction between atoms that is facilitated by the electromagnetic force.
In ionic bonds, electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions with opposite charges. These oppositely charged ions attract each other, resulting in a bond.
In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons to achieve a stable configuration. The shared electrons move between the nuclei of both atoms, creating a bond.
In metallic bonds, electrons are delocalized and form a "sea" of electrons that surround and hold together a lattice of positively charged metal ions.
To summarize, atoms are held together by the electromagnetic force, which is the attraction between the positively charged atomic nucleus and the negatively charged electrons. This force allows atoms to form bonds and create stable configurations, resulting in the formation of molecules and various types of compounds.