The image you've uploaded is a screenshot from an educational activity titled
"Build an Atom", where the goal is to construct a model of a
carbon atom by placing subatomic particles in their correct positions.
Let’s break down what's going on and how to solve this:
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🔬 Objective:
Construct a
carbon atom using the correct number of:
-
Protons
-
Neutrons
-
Electrons
And place them in the correct locations:
-
Nucleus: Protons and neutrons
-
Orbitals (electron shells): Electrons
---
🧪 Step 1: Understand Carbon's Atomic Structure
Carbon has:
-
Atomic number = 6 → This means it has
6 protons
-
Mass number ≈ 12 (most common isotope, carbon-12) → So, it has
6 neutrons (12 - 6 = 6)
-
Neutral atom → Number of electrons = number of protons →
6 electrons
So, for a neutral carbon atom:
-
Protons: 6
-
Neutrons: 6
-
Electrons: 6
---
🧱 Step 2: Build the Atom
#### 🔹 Nucleus (center):
- Place
6 protons (usually shown as blue or red spheres with
+ charge)
- Place
6 neutrons (usually green or gray spheres, no charge)
> In your diagram, the nucleus already appears to have:
> - Blue spheres labeled "P+" → protons
> - Green spheres labeled "N" → neutrons
> - There are
6 of each, so that’s correct!
#### 🔹 Electron Shells (orbits):
- Electrons orbit in energy levels (shells).
- The first shell holds up to
2 electrons
- The second shell holds up to
8 electrons
For carbon (6 electrons):
-
2 electrons in the first shell
-
4 electrons in the second shell
In the diagram:
- You see two concentric circles (shells)
- Orange spheres with "–" are electrons
- There are
6 electrons placed around the nucleus — this matches
But let’s check placement:
- Inner circle (first shell): should have
2 electrons
- Outer circle (second shell): should have
4 electrons
✔ If the diagram shows 2 electrons in the inner shell and 4 in the outer shell, it's correct.
---
✔ Final Answer: The Model Is Correct!
Your diagram shows:
-
6 protons (+) in the nucleus
-
6 neutrons (neutral) in the nucleus
-
6 electrons (–) in orbitals: 2 in the first shell, 4 in the second
This accurately represents a
neutral carbon-12 atom.
---
📌 Summary:
| Particle | Count | Location |
|--------------|-------|------------------|
| Protons | 6 | Nucleus |
| Neutrons | 6 | Nucleus |
| Electrons | 6 | Orbitals (2 in 1st shell, 4 in 2nd shell) |
✔️
This is a correct model of a carbon atom.
---
If this were an interactive drag-and-drop exercise, you would:
1. Drag 6 protons into the nucleus
2. Drag 6 neutrons into the nucleus
3. Drag 2 electrons into the inner shell
4. Drag 4 electrons into the outer shell
But based on the image, it seems already correctly built! 🎉
Let me know if you want help identifying isotopes or ions too!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of structure of atom worksheet.
