I read on the internet that elements are ALL made of the same atoms. Adding, or removing, protons - changes the elements. OK. But I am still confused. How does changing protons change sulfur; for example; to gold? What makes the molecules go from soft, to metal?
-
It seems to be the wording that is confusing you. Every element has a specific number of protons that NEVER CHANGES. The number of neutrons and electrons can change forming isotopes and ions, respectively. The number of protons determines the element. For example, if an element has 8 protons, it will ALWAYS be oxygen or if one has 82, it will ALWAYS be lead. While it is possible to actually "add" or "remove" protons from an atom, it is never done (except for experimental purposes) because you can just take the element you are trying to change it to, already existing in nature. Adding or removing would require nuclear fission or fusion.
I am not sure what you mean by going from soft to metal. Metals are a type of element and soft is just a description. Most metals, nonmetals, and metalloids (all the classifications) can have "soft" properties. I would assume that when you refer to "soft," you are talking about an element as a metal. Well, most solid elements (in their naturally occurring state) are metals, and many metals are naturally soft (malleable, flexible, etc.)
In terms of bonding, that does not seem to be your question. On a side, changing elements to gold was the objective to alchemy. While it is possible today, it is more expensive and time consuming to do that which would far outweigh the benefits of selling it.
I am not sure what you mean by going from soft to metal. Metals are a type of element and soft is just a description. Most metals, nonmetals, and metalloids (all the classifications) can have "soft" properties. I would assume that when you refer to "soft," you are talking about an element as a metal. Well, most solid elements (in their naturally occurring state) are metals, and many metals are naturally soft (malleable, flexible, etc.)
In terms of bonding, that does not seem to be your question. On a side, changing elements to gold was the objective to alchemy. While it is possible today, it is more expensive and time consuming to do that which would far outweigh the benefits of selling it.
-
All atoms are made of protons, neutrons and electrons.
It's the # of protons & electrons in the nucleus (they're always the same #, unless the compound has a charge) that tells us which element it is.
Different elements have different # of valence electrons available for bonding, hence giving them different charges and properties.
That's all you need to know.
It's the # of protons & electrons in the nucleus (they're always the same #, unless the compound has a charge) that tells us which element it is.
Different elements have different # of valence electrons available for bonding, hence giving them different charges and properties.
That's all you need to know.
-
That's why the Internet is not always the best source for information (depending on the website). What the page meant to say was that the elements are made of the same particles that make up atoms (protons, neutrons, and electrons). It's the number of protons that determine what the element is.
Sulfur has 16 protons, gold 79. We can't just change sulfur to gold. If we could people would get rich.
But I think the page was trying to explain atomic number and did not do it correctly.
Sulfur has 16 protons, gold 79. We can't just change sulfur to gold. If we could people would get rich.
But I think the page was trying to explain atomic number and did not do it correctly.