Atoms are the smallest thing that forms a chemical element or a compound. We need to get to know about it because its concept is simple, but it has enormous scientific value. So, what are atoms and their properties?
The composition of atoms
Remember in The Profile Of Atoms And Other Fundamental Particles? An atom is made of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The larger protons and neutrons make up the nucleus, while electrons are whizzing around at a furious 2,200 km/s, kind of like orbiting the nucleus, but actually don’t. The simplest atom is a hydrogen atom, with only one proton and one electron.
But in reality, protons and neutrons aren’t fundamental particles. Quarks are. Up quarks and down quarks form protons and neutrons and are held together by gluons. Although atoms mostly have the same amounts of protons and electrons, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is a truth. Some atoms have missing or additional electrons, making them ions.
The relationship with the periodic table
In fact, the periodic table is pretty related to atoms. Always remember one rule: The outer electron layer can only fit 8 electrons. That is very useful in writing the periodic table as, if the outer layer is full, the element is stable and refuses to form compounds. Have you ever heard of helium interacting with another element? Probably not.
Also, the number of protons in an atom represents its atomic number. For instance, a copper atom has 29 protons, and an iron atom has 26 protons. What’s more, the columns the elements depend on the number of outer electrons it has.
Compounds
For stability, many atoms make compounds. Non-metals bond together like kissing, meaning it share their electrons. For example, water (H2O) isn’t an ionic compound. On the contrary, some atoms that make up compounds are apart, making them ionic compounds, which connect by opposite charges. For example, table salt (NaCl) is an ionic compound. Active elements, which are only 1 to 2 electrons away from being stable, tend to make compounds more often.
Other Physical Properties
Sometimes, elements can have different numbers of neutrons. These are isotopes. Some isotopes are stable, but some are radioactive — those who are unstable tries to stabilize themselves by releasing particles and energy. For example, an atom may eject a helium nucleus, or one proton or neutron, or turning a neutron into a proton by producing an electron.
And, one surprising fact, atoms are insanely empty, despite us thinking that they are crowded. If all the space between the particles is removed, 7 billion people would only be as large as a sugar cube. Is it surprising? Well, if so, I’ll tell you one even more counter-intuitive reality: These odd objects actually exist somewhere in the cosmos. They are neutron stars. Their gravity is so powerful that all the protons and electrons collide into neutrons, and neutrons are together with almost no space between them.
So, here’s a simple perspective of atoms. But, there are lots more to explore. Wanting some extraordinary facts like the neutron stars? Check out 10 Amazing Space Facts (Part 1, Part 2).
Credits
- “Atom”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom
- “Atom Diagram”, Universe Today, https://www.universetoday.com/56469/atom-diagram/