Interactive Atom Workbench

Drag red protons and gray neutrons into the nucleus; drag blue electrons onto shells.

Start with protons: their number determines which element you build.

Build an Atom

Construct elements, isotopes and ions by hand.

Guided example

0protons

0neutrons

0electrons

mass0

—No element

charge0

Drag a proton from the red tray into the nucleus. One proton creates hydrogen.

IdentityNeeds a proton

Isotope—

Charge state—

Electron shells0

Teacher / Demo mode

Use the Build tab after each step so the explanation and object agree.

The atomic number equals the number of protons. Change protons and you create a different element.

Atoms of one element can contain different neutron numbers. Mass number equals protons plus neutrons.

A neutral atom has equal protons and electrons. Losing electrons makes a positive ion; gaining them makes a negative ion.

In this simplified model, the first shell holds 2 electrons, the second holds 8, and the third begins after that.

Score: 0 / 7