THE ATOM
One of the basic building blocks in the universe for matter is the atom. All matter - gas, liquid, or solid - is made up of molecules or atoms joined together. These atoms are the smallest particle into which an element or substance can be divided without losing its property.

A single atom consists of three basic components: a proton, a neutron, and an electron.

Within the atom there is a Nucleus. The Nucleus contains the protons and neutrons. Orbiting around the nucleus are the electrons.

An atom is similar to a miniature solar system. As with the sun in the center of the universe, the nucleus is in the center of the atom. Protons and Neutrons are contained inside the nucleus. Orbiting around the nucleus are the electrons.