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==Structure of an Atom==

==Structure of an Atom==

Although there are many possible ways protons and electrons could group themselves, they assemble in specific combinations that result in stable arrangement. Each stable arrangement of protons, electrons, and often [[neutron]]s makes one particular kind of atom, an [[element]]. Electrons orbit the nucleus of protons and neutrons at specific intervals, called "shells" or "energy levels." Each shell has a maximum number of electrons for stability. If an element's outermost shell has its maximum number of electrons, it is considered "inert." [[Helium]], [[neon]], [[argon]], [[krypton]], [[xenon]], and [[radon]] have this characteristic; these elements are rarely found in molecules, have a valence of 0, and theoretically would make the best insulators.

Although there are many possible ways protons and electrons could group themselves, they assemble in specific combinations that result in stable arrangement. Each stable arrangement of protons, electrons, and often [[neutron]]s makes one particular kind of atom, an [[element]]. Electrons orbit the nucleus of protons and neutrons at specific intervals, called "shells" or "energy levels." Each shell has a maximum number of electrons for stability. If an element's outermost shell has its maximum number of electrons, it is considered chemically inactive. [[Helium]], [[neon]], [[argon]], [[krypton]], [[xenon]], and [[radon]] have this characteristic; since there are no free electrons in their outermost shell, they would, in theory, make the best insulators.

It is the structure of the outermost shell of electrons in an element that determines how well it conducts electricity. If an element has fewer than eight electrons in its outermost shell, it can conduct electricity; the elements that have one electron in their outermost shell conduct electricity best. [[Gold]], [[silver]], and [[copper]] are the best conductors of electricity because their outermost electron shell has only one electron, and this allows the freest flow of electrical current because the opposition of an atom of these elements from taking on or loosing electrons is low.