Contemplating a starry sky can be a real spectacle. For lovers of the universe, it is a delight to observe this unattainable but beautiful cluster of stars at the same time.
If we were asked to count the stars, we couldn’t do it. Since there are too many and, not only that, many of them are imperceptible to our eyes. We can say that we only observe the small tip of the great iceberg.
In fact, the number of stars in the universe is astronomical. Not even with the most advanced telescopes are we capable of detailing the wonders that exist in space.
It is true that, in our eyes, we live on a very large planet. But it should be noted that it is a mere dwarf compared to other planets that make up our solar system.
But things do not end there. The solar system is nothing more than a simple galaxy of all those in the universe. If the sun seems powerful to us, we cannot even imagine how powerful the largest that can be in the universe is, since the sun is popularly known as the yellow dwarf, it is one of the smallest stars.
Actually, the universe is full of mysteries for the human being, many of these mysteries we may never be able to decipher. The most impressive of all is that these beautiful galaxies, constellations, stars and other similar creations are made up of a very small particle, do you know what it is? It’s about the atom.
It is likely that, during the course of your basic studies, you have heard this word. However, do you still remember what it is about? Are you able to give a simple definition of it? This article has been written with the purpose of knowing what an atom is.
Instructions
The atom is the unit of smallest particles that can exist as a chemical element. It is the main component of all matter, that is, of everything that exists in the physical universe that is known. Everything in it is made up of atoms.
According to the Greek word that was used to refer to the atom, it cannot be divided. This theory was proposed by Democritus and Leucippus, who stated that matter was made up of particles that were indivisible and indestructible.
Atoms are grouped and thus form molecules, which, in turn, constitute all the materials that we know with physical and chemical characteristics that exist around us.
For a long time there was speculation about the size and nature of the atom. Knowledge about it progressed very slowly. It was not until the 16th and 17th centuries that significant progress was made in the development of experimental chemistry.
Although the atom is a basic minimal unit, it has 3 substructures, which are neutrons, protons, and electrons. These substructures, or subatomic particles, have a specific order within the atom.
In the case of protons and neutrons, they come to form the atomic nucleus, while the electrons revolve around it, just as if it were a tiny solar system.
On the other hand, these particles are characterized by the electrical charge they possess. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and in the case of neutrons, they have no charge, just as their name implies. However, it should be noted that they provide other unique characteristics to the atom.
Another important characteristic that we must highlight is the mass. Where the greatest amount of mass is found is in the nucleus, that is, where the protons and neutrons are found. The electrons revolve around the nucleus in a large cloud, the radius of which is much larger than the nucleus.
The number of neutrons and protons are those that define each of the elements of the periodic table of chemical elements. Its number is represented in this table, as the atomic number.
An atom has the same number of protons and electrons, this results in its total charge being neutral.
In most atoms we can find both neutrons and protons. However, if we add one more proton to the atom, we will create a new element. But, if we add one more neutron, then we will obtain an isotope, that is, an atom of the same element, but with a greater amount of mass.
Despite the above, the hydrogen atom is the exception to the rule. It does not contain neutrons, it is only made up of a neutron and an electron.
However, advances in technology have led to the discovery of new subatomic particles in the atom, in addition to those already mentioned. This has meant a great advance in understanding the structure and functioning of the atom. These new subatomic particles are quarks, leptons, and bosons.
Now, would you like to be able to have knowledge about each of the parts that make up an atom? We will be seeing it below.
What do you need:
To break down each of the parts of the atom, we’ll start by talking about the nucleus. This is made up of neutrons and electrons, as we had pointed out in the previous part, these particles, together, make up nucleons, which contain most of the mass of the nucleus. To be specific, they are 99.9% of the total mass of the atom.
According to the Standard Model, neutrons and protons are held together by what is known as the strong nuclear force, which is also known as the strong nuclear interaction or strong force. This force is responsible for overcoming the electromagnetic repulsion of two protons with the same charge, to keep them together with the neutrons, which have no charge.
In the case of protons, we could say that they are carriers of positive charge, they are part of the nucleus of the atom and contribute almost half of the mass that makes up an atom. Protons have a smaller amount of mass than neutrons.
It should be noted that the number of protons are those that determine the element of the periodic table. For example, a sodium atom has 11 protons, an oxygen atom has 8, and a uranium atom has 92.
When looking at a periodic table, we will realize that the number of protons is equivalent to the atomic number of each of these elements.
On the other hand, neutrons and protons by two particles known by the names quarks and gluons.
Protons have two positively charged up quarks, while neutrons have one negatively charged down quark. As for neutrons, we can say that they have one up quark and two down quarks. As for the gluons, they are responsible for the quarks remaining attached to each other.
In the case of neutrons, they are the other element that makes up the nucleus. Its mass is only slightly greater than that of protons. Like these, neutrons are made up of quarks. However, you have one with positive upward charges and two with negative downward charges. This causes it to give a net charge of zero.
Now, in relation to electrons, we could say that they are the smallest particle of atoms. Electrons revolve around the nucleus of the atom, in an orbit greater than the size of the nucleus. In this way it forms what is known as the electron cloud.
The electrons are attracted, by the electromagnetic force, to the protons of the nucleus. This force traps them in a kind of electrostatic potential well, which is located around the nucleus.
You now have a fairly complete understanding of the structure of the atom. Likewise, you have learned about each of the parts that make it up. Without a doubt, all that knowledge has managed to increase your knowledge. But do you need to know something more about the atom?
Tips
Up to this point, you may be wondering what the use of knowing about the atom is. In the end, we can’t even see it. This can make you downplay the issue a bit.
However, the fact that we cannot see it does not mean that it does not exist or that it is less important than the things we see. In fact, to be exact, everything physical and chemical that we know of is made up of atoms. In other words, without them life could not be possible.
At the same time, it should be noted that, thanks to the basic knowledge that scientists have about the atom, they have been able to develop a large number of elements, many of which bring great benefits to humans. Others, on the contrary, have been used in a negative way, managing to affect us irreversibly.
Some of the inventions that have been achieved, thanks to knowledge about the atom, are atomic bombs, nuclear plants, particle accelerators, etc.