: Protons and neutrons together make up the mass number (

: Neutral particles (no charge) also found in the nucleus.

The core components of any atom determine its identity, mass, and charge. : Positively charged ( +1positive 1 ) particles located in the nucleus .

: Students use reports to communicate findings on atomic structure , focusing on observations from simulations or experiments like flame tests and spectrometry.

). Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are called . Electrons : Negatively charged ( -1negative 1

: In a neutral atom , the number of protons equals the number of electrons. If there is an imbalance, the atom becomes an ion .

: Digital tools like the Atomic Assessments platform at Utah State University provide automated reports (Summary, Item Statistics, etc.) to track student performance on chemistry topics.