Scientists did not reject atomic theory upon discovering that atoms are composed of smaller particles because atomic theory had already provided a robust framework for understanding matter and its properties. The discovery of subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, actually refined and expanded atomic theory rather than negating it. These discoveries revealed that atoms are not indivisible but are structured entities, leading to a more nuanced understanding of chemical behavior and interactions at the atomic level. This evolution of atomic theory has continued to enhance our comprehension of the physical world.
Atoms
He discovered that the atom contained smaller particles called electrons.
Atoms consist of a nucleus made up of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons. Atoms can undergo nuclear reactions, such as fission or fusion, which can split the nucleus into smaller particles. However, in normal chemical reactions, atoms do not divide into smaller particles.
Atoms are composed of subatomic particles like electrons, protons, and neutrons. However, there are even smaller particles called quarks, which are considered to be the fundamental building blocks of protons and neutrons. So, atoms are not the smallest particles.
Murray Gell-Mann researched the theory of elementary particles and their interactions. He was instrumental in the development of the quark model, which describes protons, neutrons, and other particles as being composed of smaller fundamental particles called quarks. Gell-Mann's work contributed significantly to our understanding of subatomic particles and the forces that govern them.
John Dalton believed that atoms were the fundamental building blocks of matter, and that they could not be created, destroyed or split. However he was wrong, because atoms are made out of subatomic particles such as Protons, Neutrons and Electrons - and later still, it was discovered Protons and Neutrons too are made of even smaller particles.
The discovery that atoms are divisible is attributed to various scientists over time, but a key figure in this realization was J.J. Thomson. In 1897, he discovered the electron, demonstrating that atoms are not indivisible but composed of smaller subatomic particles. This finding marked a significant shift in atomic theory, leading to further exploration of atomic structure by later scientists, including Ernest Rutherford and Niels Bohr.
Protons and neutrons are composed from quarks and gluons.
It is believed that many particles are made of even smaller particles. By smashing protons against each other at high speed scientists hope to find what smaller particles they are made of.
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Neutrinos are considered to be elementary particles without any internal structure (i.e., they are not believed to be composed of yet smaller and more elementary particles.)
The value in "banging particles together at high speed" is that, when you do so, the larger particles can break up and show scientists what is inside. When this happens, scientists are able to find smaller and smaller particles so that they can understand better what the most basic particles in the universe are. In doing so, scientists are slowly getting closer to finding out how the universe began and what may have caused its creation.
A proton and neutron are both composed of three quarks. An electron is a fundamental particle and is not composed of smaller particles.
Atoms
Sand particles are larger than clay particles. Sand is made up of larger grains that are visible to the naked eye, while clay is composed of microscopic particles that are much smaller in size.
It is the smallest length scientists have discovered. Anything smaller makes "no physical sense"
He discovered that the atom contained smaller particles called electrons.