When God created our universe, He did not neglect even the tiniest of details.  Who would have thought that things so tiny (electrons) could be so important in our everyday lives.  

All the blue words may be on the check-up at the end of the lesson.

Atoms:  The smallest identifiable component of creation.  In other words, everything in the universe is made up of tiny little building blocks called atoms.  There are only about 109 different kinds of atoms known to mankind, but every once and a while scientists will discover another type of atom and so the list sometimes grows.  Just imagine, everything created is constructed using only 109 different kinds of atoms.  Everything!  You, me, the dirt we walk on, the air we breath, plants that grow from seeds, seeds.....   Everything!  Each type of atom is called an element.  Elements are things like oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and copper.  

To see an up-to-date list of elements, you can click here.  But don't be gone long.  

All atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.  

Protons: Protons are positively charged particles in the nucleus (or center) of all atoms.  Here they are colored yellow.  The protons are very heavy and can not move around in solids like copper wire, iron or steel.  In liquids and gasses, the entire atom floats around.  

Neutrons:  Neutrons are also in the nucleus (center) of an atom.  Neutrons have no electric charge at all.  In this picture they are red.  They are just as heavy as protons and do not move around in solids.  

Electron:  The negatively charged particles of atoms are called electrons.  Electrons are in orbits around the nucleus of the atom.  They are very light and mobile.  They can move from atom to atom.  Any material that will let electrons pass through it from atom to atom easily is called a conductor.  Some examples of conductors are copper (Cu), iron (Fe), gold (Au), and just about all metals.  Materials that will not let electrons pass through easily are called insulators.  Some examples of insulators are paper, glass, plastic, rubber and most paint.  

In the picture to the left, the electrons can be seen whizzing around the nucleus of the atom like little planets around the sun.  The electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom even in solids like copper wire.  The hotter the temperature of the material, the faster the electrons move.  

The word "Electronics" has as it's root word "electron."  The electron is the part of an atom that can move through a circuit when we apply a voltage.