Atom vs Nucleus

The atom and the nucleus are two distinct components of matter, but they are related. Here's how they differ:

1. Atom:

   • An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element.
   • It consists of a nucleus at its center and an electron cloud surrounding the nucleus.
   • The atom includes protons and neutrons in the nucleus, and electrons orbiting the nucleus.
   • Atoms are electrically neutral when the number of protons (positive charge) equals the number of electrons (negative charge).

2. Nucleus:

   • The nucleus is the central, dense core of an atom.
   • It contains protons (positively charged particles) and neutrons (neutral particles).
   • The nucleus holds almost all of the atom's mass but occupies a tiny fraction of its volume.
   • The number of protons in the nucleus defines the element, while the number of neutrons can vary, leading to different isotopes.

In summary, the atom includes the nucleus and the surrounding electrons, whereas the nucleus is just the dense central part containing protons and neutrons.