About This Lesson
This video shows how all atoms are made of protons, neutrons (in the nucleus) and electrons (outside the nucleus). The positive charge of the protons and the negative charge of the electrons create an attractive force that holds the atom together. The number of protons in the nucleus determines which element the atom is. Because neutral atoms carry no overall charge, the number of protons and electrons must be equal, thus cancelling out their charges. Electrons are wrapped around the nucleus in shells.
