10 Ridiculously Interesting facts about Atoms you didn't know!
10 Ridiculously Interesting facts about Atoms you didn't know!
Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. They are so small that when scientists tried to study them, they had to do it indirectly, since they cannot be seen with an ordinary microscope. Although atoms are small, they hold a great deal of importance and power. Here are 10 interesting facts about atoms you may not have known.
1. the word “atom” derives from the ancient Greek word atomos, which means “indivisible.” This term was chosen because scientists of the time believed that atoms could not be divided any further. We now know that atoms can be further divided into protons, neutrons and electrons, but the name has remained.
2. atoms are made up of smaller particles called nucleons. Nucleons consist of protons and neutrons, and they occupy the centre, or nucleus, of atoms. Nucleons are much larger than the electrons that are found around the nucleus in orbitals.
3. the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines its element. Generally, atoms of the same element will have the same number of protons, however, the number of neutrons can vary. Atoms with different numbers of neutrons are referred to as isotopes.
4. atoms can be either stable or unstable. Stable atoms have nuclei whose structure is maintained by a balance between protons and neutrons. Unstable atoms have too many or too few neutrons and their nuclei break down over time, releasing energy in the form of radiation.
5. the sizes of atoms vary from element to element. The size of an atom is determined by the number of protons and electrons it contains. Generally, atoms with more protons and electrons will be larger than those with fewer.
6. atoms cannot be created or destroyed. This law of conservation of matter states that the atoms in any given substance will remain constant, even when that substance is changed into a different form.
7. atoms can join together to form molecules. These molecules are made up of two or more atoms that are bonded together via chemical bonds. The type and number of atoms in a molecule determine its properties.
8. atoms can also join together to form larger structures called crystals. Crystals are solid structures with a regular arrangement of atoms. The atoms in a crystal are held together by strong covalent and ionic bonds.
9. atoms have magnetic properties. Atoms have a magnetic field due to the movement of electrons around the nucleus. This means that atoms will be attracted to and can be moved by magnets.
10. atoms can be combined, or synthesised, to form different substances. Synthetic substances are composed of atoms, just like naturally occurring substances. However, synthetic substances are made in a lab and do not occur naturally.
1. the word “atom” derives from the ancient Greek word atomos, which means “indivisible.” This term was chosen because scientists of the time believed that atoms could not be divided any further. We now know that atoms can be further divided into protons, neutrons and electrons, but the name has remained.
2. atoms are made up of smaller particles called nucleons. Nucleons consist of protons and neutrons, and they occupy the centre, or nucleus, of atoms. Nucleons are much larger than the electrons that are found around the nucleus in orbitals.
3. the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus determines its element. Generally, atoms of the same element will have the same number of protons, however, the number of neutrons can vary. Atoms with different numbers of neutrons are referred to as isotopes.
4. atoms can be either stable or unstable. Stable atoms have nuclei whose structure is maintained by a balance between protons and neutrons. Unstable atoms have too many or too few neutrons and their nuclei break down over time, releasing energy in the form of radiation.
5. the sizes of atoms vary from element to element. The size of an atom is determined by the number of protons and electrons it contains. Generally, atoms with more protons and electrons will be larger than those with fewer.
6. atoms cannot be created or destroyed. This law of conservation of matter states that the atoms in any given substance will remain constant, even when that substance is changed into a different form.
7. atoms can join together to form molecules. These molecules are made up of two or more atoms that are bonded together via chemical bonds. The type and number of atoms in a molecule determine its properties.
8. atoms can also join together to form larger structures called crystals. Crystals are solid structures with a regular arrangement of atoms. The atoms in a crystal are held together by strong covalent and ionic bonds.
9. atoms have magnetic properties. Atoms have a magnetic field due to the movement of electrons around the nucleus. This means that atoms will be attracted to and can be moved by magnets.
10. atoms can be combined, or synthesised, to form different substances. Synthetic substances are composed of atoms, just like naturally occurring substances. However, synthetic substances are made in a lab and do not occur naturally.
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