F3 · ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Inside the atom

Choose an element. Look inside its nucleus. Watch its electrons move in shells.

Interactive model

01 Choose an element

Element

Arranged by periodic-table group. Select a tile to explore a neutral atom.

02 Explore the model

Carbon

Animation speed

Particle labels Show electrons

p⁺ Proton n Neutron e⁻ Electron

Shell model for learning electronic arrangements. Circles represent electron shells; the moving dots represent electrons. The enlarged nucleus is shown as a compact, three-dimensional cluster of protons and neutrons; some particles are behind others. Their positions are illustrative, not fixed. Paths, speeds and sizes are not to scale. This motion is not electron “spin” in the quantum-mechanical sense.

What makes an element?

The number of protons identifies the element. This activity shows neutral atoms.

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