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How to Draw an Atom Molecule

Before attempting to draw an atom, you need to understand what it is. Atoms define chemical elements. Though they are not the smallest units, they are known as the fundamental building blocks of all matter -- solid, liquid or gas. To date, 90 elements of natural kind have been identified, and 25 others are synthetic or manmade.

Atoms are made of electrons, protons and neutrons. The protons and neutrons stay in the nucleus of the atom at the center, while the electrons orbit around the nucleus. It is easy to draw an atom once you understand its structure.

Things You'll Need

Pencil
Drawing sheet
Colored pencils (3) -- one color for each component of the atom
Eraser
Periodic table of elements

Instructions

- 1
  Choose one element from the periodic table. Notice the atomic number of the element, usually in the upper left corner of the box with the element's information. This indicates the number of protons in the atom's nucleus and orbiting electrons. The atomic weight, also listed in the box, generally represents the weight of protons and neutrons, as electrons have little effect on this number. Subtract the number of protons (atomic number) from the atomic weight to determine the number of neutrons present.
- 2
  Draw a big circle on the drawing paper for the center of the atom. Determine the center of the circle and draw 3-4 straight lines of different length through the center.
- 3
  Draw small circles inside the center of the circle, ensuring the number of small circles inside the big circle correspond to the number of neutrons and protons in the element you are drawing. Mark small circles representing protons with "+" sign to indicate a positive charge. Do not mark small circles representing neutrons, since these particles have no electrical charge.
- 4
  Draw elliptical lines, forming ovals, on top of each line you have drawn through the circle on the paper. The elliptical lines should look as if they are surrounding the nucleus.
- 5
  Draw very small circles -- just a little larger than dots -- on the elliptical lines to represent the number of electrons you determined in Step 1. Mark each dot or small circle with a "-" sign to indicate negative electrical charge.
- 6
  Color each set of circles with a different color so they are easily identified as protons, neutrons and electrons. Your atom drawing is ready.

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