Final answer:
The atom consists of a nucleus, a small dense core with positively charged protons and neutral neutrons (nucleons), and a large space around it where negatively charged electrons orbit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The atom can be divided into a small heavy core called the nucleus and a large surrounding space known as the electron cloud.
The nucleus (plural, nuclei) is a dense, positively charged region at the center of the atom. It consists of protons, which have a positive electric charge, and neutrons, which are neutral. These subatomic particles are packed tightly together, making the nucleus account for most of an atom's mass. Despite its mass, the nucleus occupies a very small volume compared to the atom as a whole.
If an atom were compared to a major league baseball stadium, the nucleus would be the size of a baseball at its center. The particles within the nucleus, known as protons and neutrons, are collectively referred to as nucleons.