Unexpected Classmates in Twenty Third Section

CHAPTER 4

Aba nagawa pang ngumiti!

“What is an atom?” Pasigaw na tanong niya.

“An atom is the smallest unit of ordinary matter that forms a chemical element. Every solid, liquid, gas, and plasma is composed of neutral or ionized atoms. Atoms are extremely small, typically around 100 picometers across.” Sagot ni Eiya.

“Excellent!” Papuri nito. “Take your seat.” Dagdag niya pa.

Kinuha niya ang folder na dala niya kanina at animong nagbabasa.

“Melvin Pastor!” Biglang sigaw niya.

Bigla namang tumayo ang isa kong kaklase. “Sir?” Tanong niya.

“How many parts does an atom have?” Malakas na tanong ni Sir kay Melvin.

“Three parts sir!” Taas noo pang sagot nito, wagas kung makangiti, akala mo naman nanalo sa lotto.

“Name those parts!” Sigaw niya ulit.

Pag ikaw sir namaos sige ka.

“The three parts of an atom are protons and neutrons, which form the nucleus, and electrons, which orbit the nucleus.” Sagot naman ni Melvin.

“Marvelous!” Papuri ni Sir. “Remember that all matter consists of particles called atoms. Atoms bond to each other to form elements, which contain only one kind of atom. Atoms of different elements form compounds, molecules, and objects.” Nag umpisa na siyang mag discuss.

Tahimik ang lahat at tanging boses lang ni Sir Raquesta ang naririnig. Kinuha niya ulit ng folder na sign na magtatanong na siya.

“Dianna Avril Santos!” Sigaw niya nanaman. Nakakabigla naman 'to!

“Po?” Tanong ni Avril.

“What do nuclear reactions can alter?” Malakas na tanong niya.

“Atom sir, nuclear reactions can alter atom sir” sagot nito.

“Brilliant!” Papuri nito.

Grabe ka makapuri sir, ikaw na!

“An atom is a building block of matter that cannot be broken apart using any chemical means. Nuclear reactions can alter atoms.” Pagpapatuloy ni sir sa discussion. “Asena!” Tawag niya. “What is the charge of a proton?”

“Positive sir.”

“And the charge of an electron?”

“Negative sir.”

“Neutrons?”

“Neutral sir.”

“Awesome!” Pamatay na puri niya, “sitdown.” Umupo naman si Asena, hindi ko alam pangalan niya eh. “The three parts of the atom are protons having positively charged, neutrons having neutral charge, and electrons having negatively charged, protons and neutrons form the atomic nucleus, electrons are attracted to the protons in the nucleus, but are moving so quickly they fall toward its orbit rather than stick to protons...” Papalakas na aniya saka naglakad lakad sa harapan, “... electrons and protons are attracted to each other because of their opposite charges.” Tangu-tango pang dagdag niya.

“Grabe naman kung makasigaw si sir kulang na lang magkanda putol ang mga voice chords niya.” bulong ko kay Eiya, habang nakatingin kay Sir para hindi mahalata.