Inside the atom
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What this model shows
The model is not to scale. A real nucleus is about 100 000 times smaller across than its atom, and real particles have no colour. The shells are drawn as rings with the electrons spread evenly round them, so that you can count them; real electrons don’t travel round fixed circles.
No real process adds protons or neutrons to an atom one at a time like this: changing a nucleus needs a nuclear reaction, far beyond a chemical one. Chemical reactions change only the electrons. Sodium-24 does exist, but it is radioactive and changes into magnesium within a few days.
The jar stays closed: sodium is handled only by a teacher, with tongs, never with bare hands. The waits are shortened.
With reduced motion, each step finishes at once.
Select a piece of equipment, on the bench or here, to read about it in the card.