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The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons (two types of baryons) bound by the nuclear force (also known as the residual strong force). These baryons are further composed of subatomic fundamental particles known as quarks bound by the strong interaction. Which chemical element an atom represents is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. Each proton carries a single positive charge, and the total electrical charge of the nucleus is spread fairly uniformly throughout its body, with a fall-off at the edge.

The nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons (two types of baryons) bound by the nuclear force (also known as the residual strong force). These baryons are further composed of subatomic fundamental particles known as quarks bound by the strong interaction. Which chemical element an atom represents is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. Each proton carries a single positive charge, and the total electrical charge of the nucleus is spread fairly uniformly throughout its body, with a fall-off at the edge.

Major exceptions to this rule are the light elements hydrogen and helium, where the charge is concentrated most highly at the single central point (without a volume of uniform charge), as would be expected for fermions (in this case, protons) in 1s states without orbital angular momentum.[2]

Major exceptions to this rule are the light elements hydrogen and helium, where the charge is concentrated most highly at the single central point (without a volume of uniform charge), as would be expected for fermions (in this case, protons) in 1s states without orbital angular momentum.[2]

As each proton carries a unit of charge, the charge distribution is indicative of the proton distribution. The neutron distribution probably is similar.[2][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus]

As each proton carries a unit of charge, the charge distribution is indicative of the proton distribution. The neutron distribution probably is similar.[2][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_nucleus]

==Notes==

==Notes==

* N. Cook, ''Models of the Atomic Nucleus'', Springer Verlag (2006), ISBN 3540285695

* N. Cook, ''Models of the Atomic Nucleus'', Springer Verlag (2006), ISBN 3540285695

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/4em/ch02/ch02.html The Nucleus - a chapter from an online textbook]

* [https://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/4em/ch02/ch02.html The Nucleus - a chapter from an online textbook]

* '''[http://www-nds.iaea.org/livechart The LIVEChart of Nuclides - IAEA ]''' in '''[http://www-nds.iaea.org/livechart Java ]''' or '''[http://www-nds.iaea.org/relnsd/vcharthtml/VChartHTML.html HTML]'''  

* '''[https://www-nds.iaea.org/livechart The LIVEChart of Nuclides - IAEA ]''' in '''[https://www-nds.iaea.org/livechart Java ]''' or '''[https://www-nds.iaea.org/relnsd/vcharthtml/VChartHTML.html HTML]'''  

[[Category: Physics]]

[[Category: Physics]]