human
Can you explain the different types of atoms?
assistant
Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Protons and neutrons are subatomic particles that have a positive charge. Electrons are negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. The number of protons in an atom determines its chemical properties, while the number of electrons determines its chemical reactivity. There are three main categories of atoms based on their structure: metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Metals are elements with a full valence shell of electrons. Non-metals lack one or more electrons and form covalent bonds. Metalloids are elements that can act as both metals and non-metals due to incomplete electron shells.