Hobbies And Interests
Early Theory
The ancient Greeks were the first to theorize the existence of the atom, but it wasn't until the 19th century that scientists created a formal atomic theory. It states that at its most basic, the atom is the simplest and fundamental aspect of matter. Early atomic theory stated as a fundamental particle, the atom was indivisible.
Modern Atomic Theory
Scientists delved deeper into the depths of the atom and discovered that it was not indivisible, but made up of electrons, protons and neutrons. Ernest Rutherford proposed the electron shell model of the atom as free-moving particles surrounding a nucleus. This was further expanded by Niels Bohr, who used the line spectrum of atoms to postulate energy levels within them.
Role of the Molecule
Atoms of a specific element are all identical with the same exact electron shell and energy level configuration. When multiple atoms connect through chemical bonding, they create a molecule. The molecule is the next step in building blocks of matter. For example, a molecule of water is made up of two atoms of hydrogen and an atom of oxygen.
The Big Picture
Atoms and molecules make up all the matter in the universe, from living organisms to distant planets. Only a few atoms make up a molecule of water; hundreds of atoms can make up larger molecules. The law of conservation that states matter in the universe cannot be created or destroyed, but can only change form, is derived from the atomic theory. Since the number of atoms never changes in a chemical reaction, but creates different molecules, all atoms are conserved in all reactions.