What does a helium atom look like?

Answer by  Connor (43)

A typical helium atom contains two protons (positive charged particles) and two neutrons (neither positively nor negatively charged particles) in it's nucleus (kind of like the sun in our solar system - the "center" of the atom). Two electrons (negatively charged particles) orbit the nucleus (like planets) to balance its positive charge.

Answer by  Henry55 (118)

A helium atom contains 2 protons, 2 electrons, and 2 neutrons and is a colorless, odorless, and inert gas. If you are trying to draw the helium nucleus then you should keep it relatively simple by drawing four circles in the middle (2 which represent the protons and 2 the neutrons) and 2 circles around the outside for the electrons.

Answer by  DrHarris (508)

Looking at the periodic table, helium has 2 protons, 2 neutrons, and 2 electrons. So, you would draw four circles touching each other to represent the protons and neutrons. Surround this with a giant circle representing the electron's path, and two smaller circles on that path representing the electrons.

Answer by  buck (22)

A helium atom has two protons and two neutrons in the nucleus (the center) and it has two electrons orbiting around the nucleus like the planets orbit around the sun.

Answer by  bnita (14)

The helium atom is made of a central nucleus orbited by two electrons. The nucleus contains two protons (which are positively charged) and two neutrons (with no charge). The electrons orbiting the nucleus are negatively charged.