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	Basic Atomic Structure
	The protons and the neutrons make up the center (nucleus) of the atom, and the electrons orbit around this center. All atoms are given atomic numbers. This number is equal to the number of protons in the atom. In an atom the number of protons is always equal to the number of electrons. Since the positive charge is equal to the negative, the single atom appears to be neutral.


	In a way, the atom can be seen as a sun with orbiting planets. If we look at the Helium atom, which is one of the simplest in the periodic system, it looks something like this:

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