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Name:  Huang Y.
Status:  student
Age:  15
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
Is the electron the smallest thing inside an atom?

Replies:
Huang,

If you are referring to the volume of the electron compared to other parts of the atom, it's probably the largest kind of particle inside an atom. If you are referring to mass, the electron is much smaller than either protons or neutrons -- the two principle parts of an atom's nucleus.

If you consider other nuclear components, then the electron is not the smallest of all.

Find an introductory college level chemistry book. It will likely answer your questions in more detail than I could here. Stay curious.

Regards,
ProfHoff


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