Question

Note the Wikipedia article for 'Atomic nucleus' was awkward here because first they depict the old concept with protons and neutrons as a bunch of spheres touching each other and in the sub-text explain how it’s outdated, which is fine for the historical context...but then further below in the Nuclear makeup section they depict a modern conceptual visualization of the electron cloud wave function, but still depict the protons and neutrons as separate spherical bodies (albeit each now a cloud gradient body, but still as distinct spheres touching each other). And again, the written sub-text is an explanation of how the visualization is not at all correct...why not just actually visually depict as correct as possible since they are able to do that for electrons?

So, wondering if this is just a weakness of the Wikpedia articles, or if it extends to a deeper matter. Such as, on the one hand, claiming the categorial distinction of protons and neutrons as separate particles as the main defining paradigm for understanding an atomic nucleus to begin with, yet on the other hand having no clear way to visually depict them as distinct wave/probability distributions in a visual spatial depiction of an atomic nucleus.

Answer 1

The atomic nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, with electrons orbiting around it. The visualization of the nucleus in Wikipedia articles may not be entirely accurate, but the written explanations provide a better understanding of its structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, which are packed tightly together in a small region at the center of an atom. The protons have a positive charge, while the neutrons are neutral in charge. Outside of the nucleus, the electrons orbit around the nucleus.

In terms of visualization, the depiction of the nucleus in Wikipedia articles may not be entirely accurate, as it can be difficult to visually represent the wave-like nature of the particles. However, the written explanations in the articles provide a more accurate understanding of the atom's structure.

It is important to note that the nucleus is much smaller and denser compared to the overall size of the atom, with the electrons occupying a larger space around it. The mass of an atom is mainly concentrated in the nucleus, while the electrons have very little mass in comparison.