Nucleus
Protons and neutrons are nucleons. They occupy a region roughly one hundred thousand times smaller than the atom, yet hold nearly all its mass.
Atomic number and mass number
Atomic number is the proton count. Mass number is protons plus neutrons. Changing atomic number changes the element; changing only mass number creates an isotope.
Electrons
Electrons have negative charge and occupy quantum states. Shell drawings communicate energy levels but are not literal circular tracks.
Orbitals and probability
A cloud shows the probability of detecting an electron in a region. Denser areas mean greater probability, not more electron material.
Light and spectra
An atom absorbs or emits a photon only when the photon energy matches an allowed energy difference. This creates element-specific spectral lines.