Journey to the center of the Atom

Electrons, these elementary particles, travel aimlessly from one atom to another. None of them know why they're doing this, but they still continue to do so, considering the task as their destiny.

As protons are (+ve)ly charged and are much bigger in size than any electron, they're respected among the particles.

Neutrons are the most respected as they're always neutral and stable inside an atom. Also, they work as teachers for the electrons and protons.

Even in school, the electrons are taught to move from an atom to another, and the protons are taught to stay in the nucleus. The atoms are the classrooms, in which the particles learn their lessons.

'Dinobi', an electron by birth, has been to school for only a week. But, within this short-span, he was tired of school.

On his 1st day of school, he was very excited. But, when he came to know that he had to run in a marathon, all his happiness turned volatile.

He was grouped into a copper atom, and was seated at the outer-most shell (last bench). The copper wire was made into a loop and was connected to a battery.

The battery induced a potential difference across the ends of the wire.

He still remembers, how he was running along the wire(track), under the commands of his P.E. teacher, EMF.

The electrons were running very fast and were so tired. Seeing this, a magnet standing beside the track, started cheering them by dancing (deflecting).

The second day, he was late to his class. Only the last shell (bench) was empty, he sat there without realizing that he was in a 'Sodium' atom.

Sodium atoms easily react with water or air to loose one electron from the outer-most shell.

So, when a reaction takes place, Dinobi will be the one to be ejected out. This is what happened that day.

When the reaction took place, there was smoke everywhere and Dinobi felt drowsy and when he opened his eyes, he found himself in a hydrogen atom, with a huge proton beside him.

From that day, he hated going to alkali classes. He also decided to never be late to school.

After week-ends, the school started. Dinobi was grouped into an iron atom that day. He was the first to go to his class (atom) and he sat in the first bench (shell). The atom was at the bottom of the iron rod.

The iron rod was earthed. A material containing many electrons (-vely charged) came near the iron. As the iron atom, in which Dinobi was grouped into, was at the bottom, the electrons at the last benches (shell) of the atom started drifting to the ground.

Dinobi was close to a proton. The proton caught him, not letting him fall off. That proton seemed much older for a school kid but the electron didn't enquire anything about it.

The proton said,"Kid, don't worry, this will only last for sometime. Hold on to me till then." Soon the (-ve) ly charged material walked off.

Dinobi thanked the proton for saving him. The proton asked in a concerned tone,"So, why kids like you are doing such dangerous things?"

The younger replied,"This is our school project and we're awarded grades according to these."

The proton uttered,"Oh! Such a pity. I wish you'll someday become a part of a stable atom, so that you'll never be transferred. By the way, my name's P-cintron, nice to meet you."

Dinobi replied,"I'm Dinobi, nice to meet you too.Sir, you were talking about becoming stable, how can I do that?"

P-cintron spoke,"It's very easy. You're an electron and I'm a proton, together with another electron, we can become a stable hydrogen atom. Do you agree to co-operate with me? If you do, please follow me."

Dinobi immeadiately accepted P-cintron's proposal. Not only him, but several electrons, protons and some neutrons followed the older proton.

After plodding for hours, they were finally close to their destination.

On his way, Dinobi could sense a huge positively charged atom through his electric field.

He thought that the path was leading him to a surprise, until they reached their destination.

The place was filled with bright rays of light. When they went a little closer to the light source, all they saw was a bright-coloured Uranium atom, trying to stabilize. All the electrons in the Uranium, were trying to help the atom to become stable.

All of them seemed to be very tired.

Suddenly, P-cintron started laughing wickedly saying," Soon, the Uranium will blast when my friend Salty(a neutron) will fuse with its nucleus, killing almost every particle. You might be wondering 'why I've taken you here'. Because I want the world to believe that y'all impatiently curious kids are responsible for such a destruction, and that I'm totally innocent."

A neutron emerged to the site. Dinobi regretted for trusting such an evil particle.

Without wasting any time, he attached himself to one of the shells and also called upon his friends to do the same. All of them attached themselves to the atom, not allowing Salty to fuse with the nucleus.

The electrons lost most of their energy

The atom then became stable.Dinobi was the most tired and weak.

P-cintron was very angry. He undergoes beta-decay and forms a positron to kill Dinobi.

Before that could happen, a kind proton attached with Dinobi, forming a neutron.

Dinobi is still alive, not only in the form of a dormant neutron, but also as a hero in the minds of the particles.

Even the most noble protons and the neutrons wish to be like Dinobi.

The neutron may undergo beta-decay at any moment and Dinobi might return back soon.