Essay On Atomic Theory

📌Category: Physics, Science
📌Words: 974
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 18 June 2022

The average human is made up of over  7 octillion atoms. People don't realize how massive of a number that is. Atoms are what make up absolutely everything, although they are too small to see with the naked eye they are everywhere. There are three main fundamentals necessary to understand when talking about atomic theory. First, are the scientists who were responsible for atomic theory. Second, the main components of atomic theory, what it contains. Finally, the applications of atomic theory, and what the world uses it for?

The most important aspect of atomic theory is the multitude of scientists who dedicated their lives to building and discovering the components of atomic theory. Although not one scientist can truly be contributed to all of atomic theory, there are a few who have made the biggest impact. For example, Although not one scientist can truly take credit to all of atomic theory, there are a few who have made the biggest impact. For example, English chemist John Dalton is often said to be the most important scientist that worked on this and developed atomic theory. John Dalton most heavily impacted the research of atomic theory by saying that, “Atoms of different elements vary in size and mass” (Ross) John Dalton went went on to create the official atomic theory that stated, “All matter was made up of hard round particles, called atoms, and that each of atom or element differed from the next only by its weight” (Blamire) These statements gave a stable base in which atomic theory could flourish. However John Dalton may have refined atomic theory but most certainly did not single-handedly create all of atomic theory. For instance, Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus proposed the groundbreaking theory known as atoms. They stated that all matter is composed of atoms separated by space through which atoms move (Perdue). They also said that atoms are solid, homogeneous, indivisible and unchangeable (Thornton). So, although John Dalton had modernized atomic theory, humans have been coming up with questions relating to atomic theory all the way back in Ancient Greece.

There are three main parts to modern atomic theory, each more important than the last. The first states that all matter is made up of atoms, which are indivisible. This means that everything in the universe other than energy is made up of microscopic structures called atoms. The second main part of atomic theory says that all atoms of a given element are identical in mass and properties. This means that all elements are made up of atoms and an element is identical no matter what. The last main point of atomic theory says that compounds are combinations of two or more different types of atoms. This means that if there was more than one atom that were the same that would make an element, however if there were multiple atoms that are different, that would be a compound. All three of these components make up the current understanding of an atom and atomic theory. What is an atom made up of anyway? An atom is composed of two main components called electrons and quarks. Electrons are virtually weightless particles that infinitely spin around an atom's nucleus. Quarks however are split into two subatomic particles, protons and neutrons. Both protons and neutrons come together to make the nucleus, this is what sits in the middle of the atom and what takes up virtually all the mass. Furthermore, the number of protons contained in the nucleus of an atom determines what element that atom is. Combine all of these together and they form atomic theory as it is known today.

Atomic theory is one of the main reasons humanity understands the universe as it is. Although, there are many ways atomic theory is used outside of science. For example, warfare is heavily dependent on atomic theory, most prominently in nuclear bombs. Nuclear bombs work by using nucleur fission, Nucleur fission is caused by splitting atomic nuclei (ucsusa). On the other hand, the same nuclear fission used in warheads is used in nuclear power plants to produce an immense amount of energy. Nuclear power plants work by heating water to produce steam, the steam that is used to spin large turbines to generate electricity. However the source of heat used to turn water into steam is produced by nuclear fission. Nuclear technology is used for more than just weapons and power, it is also used for Medicare. Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology that uses tiny amounts of radioactive material (tafti) , this tiny amount of material is in fact unstable atoms that have a low radioactive level. These unstable atoms can be used to diagnose disease, treat disease, and much more. Although there are many examples in which atoms are used in nuclear science, they are also used in many other things too. For example atoms are used to further understand food and to make food production more efficient. Atoms make up everything that includes food, so by studying the atoms that make up food mankind can further understand certain food's effects on humans bodies and how to efficiently produce food. For instance by studying what makes up proteins and carbohydrates in common foods and understand how a food can benefit us, how it can hurt us, and how society can use it. Outside of food consumption and production atoms are also used in management of water. Using isotopes, which are atoms of an element that are chemically identical, scientists can essentially track water. This practice is often called isotope water fingerprinting, this process is conducted by studying the isotopes in hydrogen and oxygen, what makes up water, and see how they have changed and what form they have been in in the past. Using this groundbreaking technology scientists can learn how to further learn how to conserve water. Atoms not only are of massive scientific importance but they teach humanity more about the world as well.

The main sections of atomic theory are how they are used in everyday life, what makes up atomic theory, and who constructed atomic theory. Atomic theory, although complicated, is truly a spectacular spectacle to think about. Atoms are mostly empty space which is miraculous to think about especially considering how much things are solid. Atomic theory is truly a wonder to behold.

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