Hi, I'm Miss Jean. I'm having a good day here. How about you? What are you doing today? Are you working on homework?

Well, if you are, I hope that you're having an easier time than Caleb is. Caleb's an eighth grader at Discovery Mountain Academy and, well, let's just say that science isn't

his favorite subject this year. Well, fortunately, he has Mrs. Torres to help him. Let's

see if she can help as we enjoy another mini adventure in Discovery Mountain.

Mrs. Torres, may I come in? Oh, Caleb, yes, please come in.

Well, Miss Torres, I don't understand my science homework.

All right, Caleb, let me take a look. That's why I'm here. I'm here to help.

Well, this question is so confusing.

Read it to me.

It says an atom of gold has an atomic number of 79 and a mass number of 197.

How many protons, electrons, and neutrons does this atom have?

Okay, that's pretty straightforward.

Straightforward?

What do you mean?

I can't figure it out.

Let's start at the beginning.

Miss Torres, I looked through all of this chapter.

I can't find the answer anywhere.

All it talks about is the structure of the atom and how protons have a positive charge and neutron have no charge and electrons.

Yes?

Well, electrons have a negative charge and they're so tiny they just sort of hover around an electron cloud.

You got all that correct, Caleb.

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